Gender differences of suicidal behavior in belarus: Epidemiology
IntroductionIn Western Europe male die much more often by means of suicide than do females, although females attempt suicide more often. This pattern has been found in Belarus with some peculiarities.Object of studyMen and women under 18, who committed a suicide or made a suicide attempt.Aim of the studyTo investigate peculiarities of suicides and parasuicides among men and women in Belarus in order to reveal target group for suicide prevention.MethodsWe used the Suicide database of the Ministry of Health for epidemiological analyze.ResultsThe study is still being carried out. The male to female suicide ratio is 5:1 in 2008 year. Prevalence of suicides hasn’t changed a lot in women during last 20 years. It rapidly grew among men in the beginning of 90ies with the peak in 2000 year. Then it started to decrease slowly with the rate of 48,5 in 2008 year. Prevalence of suicides is 2.5 time higher in countryside in comparing with cities. Men have higher suicide rate in age from 40 to 60 and after 70 years old, women -after 70 years old. Data on parasuicides have been collecting centrally since 2007. Prevalence of parasuicides was 80 per 100 000 of population and male: female ratio was 1:1 in 2009.ConclusionMen show a big influence of socio-economical state on suicidal behavior. Risk factors have different power in cities and in countryside. Main group for suicide prevention is 40–60 years old men in countryside with alcohol dependence.