Abstract
Objective
To analyze the relationship between suicidal ideation and illicit drug use in women.
Methods
An analytical study conducted with 369 women receiving care in the Basic Health Units, using the Non-Student Drug Use Questionnaire and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire for investigating suicidal ideation.
Results
Association between suicidal ideation and the use of tranquilizers without medical prescription (p=0.005), solvents (p=0.006), and marijuana (p=0.003) was identified. Utilization of tranquilizers increased the chances of suicidal ideation in women by 2.7 times (CI=1.372-5.608) when compared to those who did not use these drugs; the use of solvents increased it by 10.1 times (CI=2.197-46.967), and marijuana use by 3.3 times (CI=1.865-13.900).
Conclusion
The indicators indicate that illicit drug use by women has serious implications and, therefore, requires effective interventions that should focus above all on the prevention of suicidal ideation, as the progression of this ideation may converge in tragic outcomes that include attempted suicide, self-mutilation, and suicide.
Street drugs; Suicidal ideation; Mental health; Women; Public health