OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the frequency of the use of toxic substances as methods of suicide attempts and suicide for discussion of preventive measures and restrictions. METHODS: Data on the mortality rates due suicide attempts and suicide were collected from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and Hospital Information System in Health System of Brazil (SIH-SUS) between 1998 and 2009. The variables analyzed were age, sex and underlying causes (ICD-10: X60-X69). RESULTS: Around 70.0% of the attempted suicide cases (SIH-SUS) had ingested toxic substances: medicines (46.2%), alcohol (29.8%) and pesticides (15.1%). The following social-demographic characteristics were predominant in all analyzed cases: men and aged between 30 and 49 years. Regarding the suicide cases (SIM), the most frequently ingest substances were medicines (21.7%) and pesticides (28.3%), predominating adolescent women (3:1). The frequency of ingestion of pesticides was slightly more frequent in men (49.2%) than women (42.7%) but women ingested much more medicines than men (28.9 versus 17.3%). CONCLUSION: The data indicated a young profile, and allowed the discussion of social acceptability and accessibility as determinants in the choice of methods used in the suicide attempts and suicide by poisoning. The study showed no strategic plans for suicide prevention were present but only specific actions for associated factors.
suicide, attempted; suicide; poisoning; information systems in health; epidemiologic surveillance