Suicidal risk and depression in Residents of a School Hospital

Abstract

Introduction. The World Health Organization states that annually about 800,000 people commit suicide worldwide and for every suicide, many others attempt suicide, at any age. In 2016 it was second leading cause of death within the age group 15-29 years in the world. Objective. to determine depression and suicidal risk in resident physicians of a teaching hospital. Methodology. Descriptive study with analytical component, cross-sectional conducted from November to December 2015. Convenience sampling of resident physicians who were performing academic-assistance functions at the time of the study and agreed to participate voluntarily by signing an informed consent. A self-administered questionnaire with sociodemographic data, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale were used. Results. 111 medical residents participated in the study, 54.1% (60) female, 79.3% (88) age between 25 and 30 years and 73.9% (82) single. 38.7% (43) had one year of residency, 19.8% (22) had two years, 36.9% (41) had three years and 4.5% (5) had five years. 14.4% (16) had depression: 4.5% (5) had intermittent depressive states; 8.1% (9) moderate depression and 1.8% severe depression. 16.2% (18) had suicidal risk: mild risk 88.9% (16) and 11.1% (2) moderate risk. A significant association (p<0.001) was found between depression and suicidal risk. Conclusion. The prevalence of suicidal risk is higher than in the general population.