Introduction:

Suicide has always been one of the great enigmas of humanity: it raises philosophical, social, psychological, religious and moral questions. Suicidal behavior is a growing health concern in Cuba.

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on suicidal behavior in the elderly at risk.

Methods:

A prospective and pre-experimental study was carried out, during the period from November 2017 to March 2019, in the family medical office # 1 of Mario A. Pérez Polyclinic of Sagua la Grande Municipality. The study population consisted of all the older adults classified as being at suicidal risk. The sample was made up of 42 patients selected by inclusion, exclusion and exit criteria.

Results:

The age group 60-64 (40.5%) predominated in the sample, together with women (59.5%), the indicator of hopelessness risk (61%) and minor depression (30.9%). At diagnosis, the global information on the subject was not acceptable and, subsequently, 97.6% of the global information acquired was obtained. An educational intervention was applied, validated by the specialists as feasible and pertinent, which included eight meetings.

Conclusions:

The educational intervention applied was effective in raising the level of information of older adults at suicide risk. The basic health team is a significant tool for avoiding this behavior, applying the risk approach to the population.

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