ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the current university educational model without warning, and the health sciences were no exception. Adapting to the new times is essential. With the rise and almost universal access of new communication technologies, it is unjustifiable not to implement new forms of teaching with professionals in training. Although traditionally medical education has required real practice for the development of skills, it is necessary to complement this education with digital materials and methods available to students and teachers. Disease will change forever the health education and therefore also our way of acquiring the necessary knowledge to sustain it. © 2021 Elsevier España, S.L.U.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To present the characteristics of adolescent suicide, during the period of confinement due to pandemic in 2020 in Ecuador, in order to satisfy the mental health needs of this age group with their knowledge. Method: Observational, descriptive, cut-off study It was carried out. Cross-sectional retrospective, with information from thedatabase of violent deaths of the Ministry of Government, from March 17 to September 13, which lasted the state of emergency. The analysis was carried out by province, sex, age, suicide method and frequency in days after the occurrence of the event. The suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) was estimated for each province. All of these results were compared to 2019 statistics for the same time period. Results: During the confinement due to a state of exception in 2020 in Ecuador, 97 suicides were registered in adolescents between 10 and 19 years old.The highest number was estimated in males between 15 and 19 years of age, with the most frequent age being 19. The most frequent day of removal of corpses was Monday and the preferred form of suicide was hanging with 81 reported cases, followed by much by intoxication and poisoning. Conclusions: Adolescent suicide deserves special attention in our environment, as it is a public health problem, influenced by various psychological and emotional factors, which can be neglected in a context of pandemic and isolation.They are, therefore, essential psychosocial interventions aimed at mitigating the mental effects of the pandemicand confinement,as well as promoting prevention and mental health programs in theadolescent population.