ZAMDAR H RASUL KARIM ,BAKHTIYAR RASHID QADER ,PEGAH A.M. SEIDI ,SANA JAMAL HASSAN ,MONIRSADAT NEMATOLLAHI
DOI: https://doi.org/Suicide remains a major global public health concern and is the third leading cause of death among young people. In Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan Region, the cumulative impact of prolonged conflict, political instability, economic hardship, systemic corruption, and weak mental health infrastructure leads to an increased risk of suicide. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with suicide among the Kurdish population in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sulaymaniyah Forensic Institute, including 91 confirmed suicide cases recorded between January 1 and December 31, 2020. Sociodemographic and contextual data were collected through qualitative interviews with family members of the committers and supplemented with forensic and legal records. Statistical analysis was used to identify associations between variables such as sex, age, suicide method, and psychiatric history. The mean age of the committers was 29.7 ± 14.5 years, with the majority being men (58.2%) and aged 26–44 years (35.2%). The majority of the committers were single (71.4%) from rural areas (59.3%) and had experienced significant social problems (78%), while only 37.4% had a documented psychiatric diagnosis. The most common methods of suicide were firearm use among men (50.9%) and self-immolation among women (50%). A significant association was observed between sex and suicide method (p=0.015) and between age group and psychiatric illness (p=0.021), while location of residence was not significantly associated with psychiatric history (p=0.8). Suicide in the Kurdistan Region disproportionately affects young adults and reflects a complex interplay of social, psychological, and structural factors. These findings highlight the urgent need for suicide prevention strategies, increased mental health services, and targeted interventions for vulnerable groups.
