Understanding collective suicides in Morocco: A 35-year epidemiological study

TL;DR

This study analyzed 35 years of collective suicide cases in Morocco, finding they mostly involved young people using pesticides or drugs.

Contribution

The paper provides a detailed epidemiological analysis of collective suicide incidents in Morocco over three decades.

Findings

Collective suicides in Morocco predominantly involved individuals aged 15-34 years.

Pesticides and drugs were the most common methods used in these incidents.

Most cases occurred at home and resulted in survival, though some had lasting complications.

Abstract

Suicide is a major public health concern, ranking among the leading causes of death worldwide.

This study investigated the epidemiological features of collective suicide incidents in Morocco.

We performed a retrospective analysis of suicidal poisoning cases recorded by the Moroccan Poison Control Center (MPCC) over a 35-year period.

During the study’s duration, the MPCC recorded 168 suicide cases. The mean age of those involved in these incidents was 23.9 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.57. The majority of those affected were adolescents and young adults, specifically between 15 and 34 years of age. Pesticides and drugs were the most commonly used methods of suicide and accounted for 31.1% and 20.1% of the cases, respectively. The majority of incidents occurred in the home environment and were primarily caused by oral exposure. The symptoms of poisoning varied according to the consumed substance, amount ingested, and elapsed time until medical treatment. The symptoms included disturbances in the neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Of the 100 cases with known outcomes, one person died due to poisoning, whereas the remaining cases survived, although some enduring complications.

Suicide accounted for 1.3% of global mortality, ranking as the 17th most common cause of death in 2019, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). This trend emphasizes the urgent need for continuous efforts at all levels to address and mitigate this rapidly growing issue.

None Declared