Suicide in Jordan 1980-1985.

In a study of suicide from 1980 through 1985 in Jordan, there were 219 suicides with an annual suicide rate of 2.1 per 100,000. The peak suicide rate was found to be among the age group 15-34 years. Nearly two-thirds of males that committed suicide were single, which was not the case with suicides among females. Over half of males that committed suicide were either unemployed and/or unskilled manual workers and over two-thirds of females that committed suicide were either housewives and/or students. Nearly two-thirds of the total population that committed suicide had previous psychiatric treatment. Violent methods of suicide were most frequently used. Some of the results were observed for the first time and the role of sociocultural factors is discussed. Suggestions are made to explore the role of religion in combatting suicide.