Profile of the attention provided to suicide attempts by adolescents in emergency rooms and associated factors

Abstract

Objective: to identify the profile of emergency department visits for suicide attempts by adolescents and their associated factors.

Method: a cross-sectional, documentary, and retrospective study was conducted with 140 medical records of adolescents treated for suicide attempts in an emergency department linked to a teaching hospital in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, between January 2015 and May 2023. Data was collected between August and November 2023. Descriptive and inferential analysis (Pearson's chi-square test) was performed, considering a p-value≤0.05 as statistically significant. National ethical guidelines were respected.

Results: drug intoxications were the most common, associated with females (p<0.001) and continuous use of psychotropic medications (p=0.01). Poisonings were associated with the absence of continuous psychotropic medication use (p=0.02) and treatment in the emergency room (p=0.01). Males were associated with intoxications from alcohol and drugs (p<0.001), wounds from sharp objects (p<0.05), and precipitation (p=0.03).

Conclusion: this study found a prevalence of emergency department visits for suicide attempts through intoxications associated with sex, medication use, and treatment in the emergency room. We hope that his profile can help professionals structure action plans to improve clinical care, mental health care, prevention, and post-attempt strategies.