A psychological autopsy study of suicide among Inuit in Nunavut: methodological and ethical considerations, feasibility and acceptability

摘要: Introduction: The increasing global prevalence of suicide has made it a major public health concern. Research designed to retrospectively study cases is now being conducted in populations around the world. This field research especially crucial Aboriginal populations, as they often have higher rates than rest country. Objective: paper presents methodological aspects first psychological autopsy on among Inuit Nunavut. Qaujivallianiq Inuusirijauvalauqtunik (‘Learning from lives that been lived’) large case-control including all 120 occurred Nunavut between January 1 st , 2003 and December 31 2006. describes design, ethical considerations strategies used adapt method Inuit. Specifically, we present local social cultural issues, data collection procedures, acceptability, reliability validity method. Method: A retrospective using approach was carried out 21 communities total 498 individuals were directly interviewed, medical correctional charts also reviewed. Results: well received by participants appreciated opportunity discuss loss family member or friend suicide. During interviews, informants readily identified symptoms psychiatric disorders, although culture-specific rather clinical explanations sometimes provided. Results suggest can be effectively populations. Keywords: suicide; Inuit; autopsy; mental health; cross-cultural; Canada; Aboriginal; Nunavut; risk factors (Published: 26 March 2013) Citation: Int J Circumpolar Health 2013, 72 : 20078 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v72i0.20078