Table 5 Predominant suicide methods in African countries with published data identified by our systematic search of the literature
From: Suicidal behaviour across the African continent: a review of the literature
Country and source publication | Study population | Predominant method(s) |
|---|---|---|
Cameroon | Â | Â |
Keugoung et al. [12] | Guidiguis health district | Poisoning (83%; 77% agricultural chemicals, 6% non-agricultural chemicals) |
Hanging (17%) | ||
Egypt | Â | Â |
Gad ElHak et al. [29] | Port Said city | Poisoning (34%; Rodenticides 25%, medication [barbiturates and opiates] 9%) |
Drowning (19%) | ||
Burning (16%) | ||
Firearms (14%) | ||
Jumping (10%) | ||
Hanging (8%) | ||
Ethiopia | Â | Â |
Bekry [17] | Addis Ababa | Hanging (70%) |
Drowning (15%) | ||
Poisoning (8%) | ||
Ghana | Â | Â |
Adinkrah [14] | National-level data | Hanging (61%) |
Firearms (17%) | ||
Poisoning (11%) | ||
Malawi | Â | Â |
Dzamalala et al. [19] | Blantyre district | Poisoning (79%; Temik [carbamate] and organophosphate) |
Hanging (19%) | ||
Nigeria | Â | Â |
Nwosu & Odesanmi [15] | Ile-Ife | Firearms (32%) |
Hanging (20%) | ||
Poisoning (37%; of which 86% Gammalin [organochlorine]) | ||
Cutting (5%) | ||
Senegal | Â | Â |
Soumah et al. [30] | Dakar region | Hanging (44%) |
Poisoning (37%; mostly medications [Chloroquine] and organochlorines) | ||
Firearms (6%) | ||
Cutting (5%) | ||
South Africa | Â | Â |
Stark et al. [27] | Bloemfontein | Hanging (56%) |
Firearms (21%) | ||
Poisoning (16%; medications 9%) | ||
Uganda | Â | Â |
Kinyanda et al. [23] | Kampala city | Hanging (63%) |
Poisoning (26%; Mostly organophosphates; medications 0.3%) | ||
Jumping (5%) | ||
Firearms (5%) | ||
Un. Rep. Tanzania | Â | Â |
Ndosi et al. [32] | Dar es Salaam region | Poisoning (69%; 28% antimalarials [mostly Choroquine]); 12% pesticide [Steladone/Diazinone [organophosphates]) and 29% could not be identified) |
Hanging (27%) |