Exploring Suicide Methods in Sudan: Insights from General Hospitals

Abstract Background: Suicide is a major concern worldwide. Understanding the various methods and tools used for suicide is crucial for developing effective preventive strategies. The objective of this study is to investigate and assess methods of suicide in Sudan. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional hospital-based investigation of individuals who presented with attempted suicide at the Emergency Departments of four major general hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan. The study was conducted between January 2014 and December 2014. A total of 200 respondents agreed to participate in the study and completed a questionnaire covering various topics, including methods of attempted suicide. Results: Hair dye was the major method of attempted suicide (79%, N= 158), followed by drug overdose (13.5%, N=27). There is a significant relationship between the methods used for suicide, age, and gender. Conclusion: Restricting access to commonly used and highly lethal methods of suicide is highly effective in reducing the overall number of suicides. It is important to implement this strategy along with other suicide prevention measures to achieve the best results.