RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Suicides account for a number of deaths that is higher than other traumatic deaths in Spain. Non-fatal suicidal behaviour occurs in a greater proportion than such behaviour with a deadly outcome. There are many causes for this behaviour and it is important to become familiar with them if it is to be prevented. The aim of this article is to describe the characteristics of non-mortal suicidal behaviour in the province of Granada. METHOD: A retrospective descriptive study of the characteristics of non-mortal suicidal behaviour in Granada during the years 2008 and 2009, according to the database of the Provincial 061 Service in Granada. The sample includes the demands made to this service in which the literal reason for the alert included the terms: suicide, self-harm or the threat of suicide. The statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 15.0 program. We analyzed the variable non-mortal suicidal behaviour with respect to the independent variables: sex, age, month, day of the week, time slot, health district, resolution of the demand (assigned priority) and further attempts. RESULTS: In total we analyzed 535 demands typified as intentional self-injury by unspecified means. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the data for the two years with respect to the month chosen, and in the relationship between age range and time slot of the suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its limitations, the characterization of suicidal behaviour in our province offers essential information, and could be useful in designing and developing a program of psychosocial intervention for the prevention of suicidal behaviour adjusted to the specific profiles of our population.