Suicide among Guaraní Kaiowá and Nandeva youth in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Information on morbidity and mortality are critical for developing appropriate prevention and health promotion programs. This study summarizes data on the Guaraní (Kaiowá and Nandeva) communities in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, about which little addressing suicide has been documented. Epidemiologic and anthropological data were used to examine suicidal behavior in these indigenous communities. Several findings in this report about the Guaraní Kaiowá and Nandeva communities were remarkable: the rates of suicide among these communities appear higher than the national average; suicide deaths disproportionately affect adolescents and young adults; and suicide rates among young males appear to be increasing. Data in this report highlight the need for health information data specific to a community in order to identify emerging health problems.