Maternal deaths by suicide in Queensland, Australia, 2004-2017: an analysis of maternal demographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics.

ABSTRACT: To characterise the demographic and clinical characteristics of women who died by suicide in the perinatal period to inform and improve suicide prevention strategies. Retrospective analysis of maternal suicides during and within 1 year after the end of pregnancy in Queensland between January 2004 and December 2017. Outcomes measured included timing of death in relation to pregnancy, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and health service use prior to death. There were 65 deaths by suicide in the study period; six occurred during pregnancy, 30 occurred after a live birth, 22 occurred after a termination of pregnancy and seven followed a miscarriage or stillbirth. Most suicides were late maternal deaths. Women were younger, and more likely to identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait

SUBMITTER: Modini C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8585828 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature