Suicide in Bangladesh: A mini review
S. M. Yasir Arafat
Abstract
Background: Suicide is a public health problem too often neglected by researchers, health policymakers, and the medical profession. Objective: It was aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding the suicide based on the existing literature reporting suicide rates, and other suicide metrics, in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Search was done in PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and BanglaJOL with searching keywords ranging date from January 2000 to December 2015. Finally, 13 articles were selected for review. Result: The average suicide rate was found 39.6/100,000 population/year and the most common method is hanging and poisoning, with the most prevalent age group is age under 40 years. More common in female, low socioeconomic condition with low literacy, in married persons, in housewives and discord with spouse is the most common associated factor. It’s a criminal offence in Bangladesh; source of information is mainly police and forensic reports, and the nationwide survey is yet to be conducted and there is no suicide surveillance strategy. Conclusion: Suicide is a neglected and under attended public health problem in Bangladesh with few research and paucity of literature. Nationwide survey conduction and establishment of national suicide surveillance are now a time demanded step.