The times series showed there were high suicide rates in the more
productive age groups: the middle age group (35–64 years) for both
genders and in the youngest male group (15–34 years). Although
rates of suicide are higher among the elderly (65 or more), this age
group had slightly decreasing suicide rates. In addition, in the
ecological analysis, micro-regions with a higher proportion of farms
run by people aged 35–64 years, had increased rates of suicides.
Considering that suicide rates are higher in small communities
(Brasil, 2008; Marin-Leon et al., 2012; Faria et al., 2006), which have
a lower frequency of urban problems such as chemical dependence
and violence, this result seems to be related to occupational factors
in farming production, such as pesticide exposure.