Nathaly Leon

Universidad Catolica de Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract Title: Prevalence and Bio-sociodemographic Determinants of Completed Suicide Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Based Retrospective Study in Ecuador, South America

Biography:

Nathaly Leon, MD, obtained her medical degree at the age of 26 from Universidad Católica de Cuenca School of Medicine. She is an international medical graduate currently pursuing United States medical licensure and has successfully passed the USMLE Step 1 examination. She has participated as first author in three oral poster presentations at academic meetings. Her academic interests include Internal Medicine, preventive medicine, population health, mental health, and the application of epidemiologic methods to clinical and public health research.

Research Interest:

Introduction: Completed suicide is a major global public health concern and a multifactorial phenomenon, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries. In Ecuador, suicide represents a persistent public health challenge, with the province of Azuay ranking among those with the highest suicide rates nationally. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified psychosocial stressors associated with suicide risk, including social isolation, economic instability, and reduced access to mental health services. However, population-based evidence examining suicide patterns across pre- and post-pandemic periods in Ecuador remains limited. Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective observational study analyzing all recorded cases of completed suicide (n = 350) registered at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Azuay between 2016 and 2023. This time frame was selected to capture trends before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the immediate post-pandemic period using validated judicial records. Data were obtained from coroner and forensic medical reports. Descriptive analyses were performed using absolute frequencies and percentages, and associations were assessed using chi-square tests. Results: A total of 148 cases occurred during the pre-pandemic period and 202 during the post-pandemic period, indicating an overall increase in completed suicides. The highest prevalence was observed in 2021 (19.4%). Most cases involved men (74.3%), with young adults being the most affected age group (40.3%). Common associated factors included psychiatric symptoms (38.1%), prior suicide attempts (16.3%), and romantic conflicts (19.4%). Conclusions: Completed suicides increased during the post-pandemic period in Azuay. These findings provide population-based evidence on suicide patterns during the immediate post-COVID-19 period and underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies focused on high-risk groups.