Profile of epidemiological development of suicide by hanging in Brazil

Suicide is a complex and universal human phenomenon consisting of self-injury to a fatal degree, associated with social, biological, psychiatric, socioeconomic and cultural factors. Given as a public health problem, proper attention to those susceptible to suicide becomes important. Hanging is one of the most frequent ways of committing suicide. Objetives: the objective was to delineate an epidemiological profile of the act for a better understanding of the risks associating them with specific populations, causology and consequences. Methodology: Using DATASUS databases, a descriptive quantitative epidemiological study was carried out over the years 2006-2016, where the frequency of cases over the years, sex, education, age group were observed for comparative and discursive purposes. Results: Suicide by hanging is more often committed by men with higher rates in the range of 20 to 39 years old, white, the domicile is the most common place to perform the act. Hanging has been the most chosen external cause by men who resort to more violent and immediate means of taking their lives whose access control is difficult. Conclusion: More in-depth science and awareness-raising prevention programs are needed to try to reduce suicide rates.