Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 y el confinamiento en los intentos de suicidio en Oviedo a lo largo de 2020

Abstract

The aim of this research is to study how confinement has influenced the rate of suicide attempts throughout 2020 among the general population of Oviedo, Asturias Health Area (Spain). The data show an overall reduction of suicidal behaviors after the irruption of COVID-19 in Spain. Considering gender, total incidence rates in men and women follow a parallel distribution, with a progressive decrease throughout the year, which continues beyond confinement. These results are in line with published studies in the Spanish population that focused on the early phases of the pandemic and showed a downward trend in suicide attempts. Contrary to what might initially be predicted, confinement has produced a protective effect against suicide attempts in the adult population of the Oviedo area, and this protective effect persists beyond confinement.