Gender, Alcohol, and Suicide-Related Fatalities: A Forensic Autopsy-Based Study in Nairobi

Abstract

Background: Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for suicide, acting through acute disinhibition, impaired judgment, and reduced impulse control. Gender differences are strongly associated with both alcohol use patterns and suicide mortality, with males disproportionately affected by heavy drinking and completed suicide. However, forensic evidence from low-resource settings remains limited.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol intoxication among suicide fatalities in Nairobi, with a specific focus on gender differences and intoxication severity.