Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107453

Linnette Rodríguez-Figueroa, MSc, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Puerto Rico, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, (787)758-2525 (ext.1471, 1428), lrodriguez@rcm.upr.edu and Margarita R. Moscoso-Alvarez, PhD, School of Education, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, PO Box 23303, San Juan, PR 00931.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents in many countries. Suicidal behavior also includes suicidal ideation (thinking about it), and attempted suicide. The magnitude of this public health problem is difficult to establish due to the lack of statistics and research, particularly among Hispanics. Death statistics are only a fraction of the problem, since it is difficult to measure attempted suicides and suicidal ideation. This presentation is a secondary analysis of the "Consulta Juvenil VI" survey, an island-wide bi-annual cross-sectional survey. The sample (n=55,227) was selected using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling design, and is representative of all students 7th-12th grade in public schools in Puerto Rico. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of suicide ideation and attempts among students. Approximately 15.7% of the students reported suicide ideation, and 12.8% reported at least one suicide attempt. Prevalences were higher in eastern, south eastern, and northern (metro area) municipalities. Suicidal risk was significantly higher among high school students (compared to middle school) and among females. Prevalence of ideation was almost twice as high among high school students (20.0% vs 12.1%), and among females (21.3% vs. 9.5%). Prevalence of attempts was higher among high school students (15.6% vs. 10.6%), and over twice as high among females (17.4% vs. 7.6%). Also, a high proportion of the students who reported suicide ideation (75.5%) also reported suicide attempts. Effective strategies for the prevention of suicidal behavior among adolescents should target these high risk groups in the geographic areas identified.

Learning Objectives:

• To determine the prevalence of suicide ideation and suicide attempt among adolescent students, and to identify high risk groups for these behaviors.

Keywords: Suicide, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF Supported by the Mental Health Services and Drug Addiction Administration (ASSMCA) and the Puerto Rico Office of Drug Control.