Objectives:

To characterize the population under study and determine the risk factors associated with the sex of suicide cases in the department of Cauca between 2018 and 2021.

Materials and methods:

Retrospective descriptive quantitative retrospective research, elaborated from primary source data provided by the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences - Regional Valle.

Results:

Between 2018 and 2021 in the department of Cauca 302 people committed suicide, especially during 2021, the cases occurred more frequently in the male sex (72.8%), adults (78%), in unstable marital unions (61%), with hanging as the main mechanism (61%) and especially in contexts of conflicts with the partner or ex-partner. The most affected municipalities were Popayán, Santander de Quilichao, Patía, Timbío and El Tambo, more frequently during Mondays and the month of December.

Conclusions:

Suicide continues to be present in the department of Cauca affecting especially adult men, who employ asphyxia and intoxication with chemical agents as a means, especially in contexts of couple conflicts, and for whom it is worth considering these as early warning elements on which to establish intervention strategies.

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