Suicide methods in Europe: a gender-specific analysis of countries participating in the "European Alliance Against Depression''

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Varnik, A (Author) Other; Kolves, K (Author) Other; van der Feltz Cornelis, CM (Author) Other; Marusic, A (Author) Other; Oskarsson, H (Author) Other; Palmer, A (Author) Other; Reisch, T (Author) Other; Scheerder, G (Author) Other; Arensman, E (Author) Other; Aromaa, E (Author) Other; Giupponi, G (Author) Other; Gusmao, R (Author) Other; Maxwell, M (Author) Other; Pull, C (Author) Other; Szekely, A (Author) Other; Sola, VP (Author) Other; Hegerl, U (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

Vol. 62

Pages: 545-551

ISSN: 0143-005X

Publisher: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 124 Citations

Scopus - 172 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-Z0K

DOI: 10.1136/jech.2007.065391

Abstract (EN): Objective: To identify the most frequent gender-specific suicide methods in Europe. Design: Proportions of seven predominant suicide methods utilised in 16 countries participating in the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) were reported in total and cross-nationally. Relative risk (RR) relating to suicide methods and gender was calculated. To group countries by pattern of suicide methods, hierarchical clustering was applied. Setting and participants: Data on suicide methods for 119 122 male and 41 338 female cases in 2000-4/ 5 from 16 EAAD countries, covering 52% of European population were obtained. Results: Hanging was the most prevalent suicide method among both males (54.3%) and females (35.6%). For males, hanging was followed by firearms (9.7%) and poisoning by drugs (8.6%); for females, by poisoning by drugs (24.7%) and jumping from a high place (14.5%). Only in Switzerland did hanging rank as second for males after firearms. Hanging ranked first among females in eight countries, poisoning by drugs in five and jumping from a high place in three. In all countries, males had a higher risk than females of using firearms and hanging and a lower risk of poisoning by drugs, drowning and jumping. Grouping showed that countries might be divided into five main groups among males; for females, grouping did not yield clear results. Conclusions: Research on suicide methods could lead to the development of gender-specific intervention strategies. Nevertheless, other approaches, such as better identification and treatment of mental disorders and the improvement of toxicological aid should be put in place.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7