Comparative Epidemiology of Suicide in South Korea and Japan: Effects of Age, Gender and Suicide Methods

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Yi Kim ◽  
Myoung-Hee Kim ◽  
Ichiro Kawachi ◽  
Youngtae Cho
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Methods ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Acute Increase ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Life Course

Background: Suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality in both South Korea and Japan. Aims: The study aims to compare the descriptive epidemiology of suicide over the last two decades (1985–2006) and to explore the conditions associated with the different distribution of suicides in both countries. Methods: Age-standardized suicide rates were obtained from the OECD Health Data 2009. Age-specific suicide rates for the age groups were calculated from the WHO Mortality Database. Suicide methods were identified based on ICD-10. Results: Through 1980–2000, Japan showed consistently higher suicide rates compared to Korea. However, from the mid-1990s, Korea showed an acute increase of suicides and finally surpassed Japan; the age-standardized suicide rate of Korea increased from 10.2 (per 100,000) in 1985 to 21.5 in 2006, while it slightly increased from 18.4 to 19.1 in Japan. The highest age-specific suicide rate was observed among Japanese men aged 45–64 years and Korean men aged over 64 years. The increase of elderly suicides among Korean women was notable. The gender ratio increased in Japan and decreased in Korea, respectively. The preferred suicide methods were hanging and pesticide poisoning in Korea and hanging in Japan. Because of the limited number of observations, hypothesis testing of specific risk factors was not possible. Conclusions: Age and gender distribution of suicide rates differed considerably between the two countries. Welfare protection throughout the life course in both countries, and pesticide regulation in Korea would be helpful in reducing the burden of suicide mortality in both countries, even if the social values could not be changed in a short time.

scholarly journals SUICIDE TRENDS AND DISPARITIES AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES, 2008-2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S692-S692
Author(s):  
Sanae El Ibrahimi ◽  
Yunyu Xiao ◽  
Matthew L Smith
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
End Of Life Issues

Abstract Background: Suicide ranks within the top fifteen causes of death among adults 55 and older in the United States and is a growing concern in the face of social isolation and other end-of-life issues. This study examined differences and trends in suicide rates and methods among older adults in the U.S. Methods: Suicide mortality rates from 2008-2017 were derived from the Multiple Cause of Death files in the CDC’s WONDER database. Suicide deaths were identified from the underlying causes of death using ICD-10 codes. Age-adjusted death rates (per 100,000) were calculated. Older adults were grouped into four age categories: 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, and 85+ years. Percent change in suicide rates between 2008-2017 were examined, which were then stratified by gender and top suicide methods. Results: Suicide rates increased by 16% among adults 55 years of age and older from 2008 to 2017 (15.4 vs 17.8 per 100,000 respectively). In 2017, the suicide rate among older adults was 27% higher than the general population (14.0 per 100,000). Suicide rates were significantly higher among men relative to women for those ages 85+ (14:1 ratio of males-to-females). However, females in the 65-74 age group experienced the highest increase of suicide rate (41%) compared to other females or males across age groups. The most common method of suicide was firearms, followed by poisoning and suffocation. Suffocation had the highest increase over time (37%). Conclusion: Rising suicide rates among older adults suggest the need for tailored intervention strategies that address upstream suicide-related risk factors.

scholarly journals Regional Variation of Suicide Mortality in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5433
Author(s):  
Minjae Choi ◽  
Yo Han Lee
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Regional Variation ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Administrative District ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Representative Data ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Community Health Survey ◽  
Health Related

South Korea’s suicide rate is the highest among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This study seeks to verify regional variation in suicide rates in South Korea and to identify correlating factors. We used age-adjusted suicide rates for 252 administrative districts, and a Community Health Survey, national representative data, and other national representative data such as censuses were used to obtain information on socioeconomic, health related and social integration variables according to each administrative district. Regional variation in suicide rates was analyzed by using Extremal Quotient (EQ), and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations between variation in suicide rates and regional socioeconomic, public service factors and health related factors. The average suicide rate from 252 regions was 142.7 per 100,000 people. The highest region was Hongchun-gun (217.8) and the lowest was Gwachen-si (75.5). The EQ was 2.89, meaning that there is significant regional variation in suicide rates. Financial independence (β = −0.662, p < 0.001), social welfare budget (β = −0.754, p < 0.001) and divorce rates (β = 17.743, p < 0.001) were significant, along with other adjusted variables. This study suggests considering these factors in order to reduce suicide rates in South Korea.

scholarly journals Changing trends in suicide rates in South Korea from 1993 to 2016: a descriptive study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e023144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Uk Lee ◽  
Jong-Ik Park ◽  
Soojung Lee ◽  
In-Hwan Oh ◽  
Joong-Myung Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Prevention Policies ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Changing Trends ◽  
Almost All

ObjectivesThe South Korean government has recently implemented policies to prevent suicide. However, there were few studies examining the recent changing trends in suicide rates. This study aims to examine the changing trends in suicide rates by time and age group.DesignA descriptive study using nationwide mortality rates.SettingData on the nationwide cause of death from 1993 to 2016 were obtained from Statistics Korea.ParticipantsPeople living in South Korea.InterventionsImplementation of national suicide prevention policies (first: year 2004, second: year 2009).Primary outcome measuresSuicide was defined as ‘X60-X84’ code according to the ICD-10 code. Age-standardised suicide rates were estimated, and a Joinpoint regression model was applied to describe the trends in suicide rate.ResultsFrom 2010 to 2016, the suicide rates in South Korea have been decreasing by 5.5% (95% CI −10.3% to −0.5%) annually. In terms of sex, the suicide rate for men had increased by 5.0% (95% CI 3.6% to 6.4%) annually from 1993 to 2010. However, there has been no statistically significant change from 2010 to 2016. For women, the suicide rate had increased by 7.5% (95% CI 6.3% to 8.7%) annually from 1993 to 2009, but since 2009, the suicide rate has been significantly decreasing by 6.1% (95% CI −9.1% to −3.0%) annually until 2016. In terms of the age group, the suicide rates among women of almost all age groups have been decreasing since 2010; however, the suicide rates of men aged between 30 and 49 years showed continuously increasing trends.ConclusionOur results showed that there were differences in the changing trends in suicide rate by sex and age groups. Our finding suggests that there was a possible relationship between implementation of second national suicide prevention policies and a decline in suicide rate.

Inequalities and Impact of Socioeconomic-Cultural Factors in Suicide Rates Across Italy

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Pompili ◽  
Marco Innamorati ◽  
Monica Vichi ◽  
Maria Masocco ◽  
Nicola Vanacore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Age And Sex

Background: Suicide is a major cause of premature death in Italy and occurs at different rates in the various regions. Aims: The aim of the present study was to provide a comprehensive overview of suicide in the Italian population aged 15 years and older for the years 1980–2006. Methods: Mortality data were extracted from the Italian Mortality Database. Results: Mortality rates for suicide in Italy reached a peak in 1985 and declined thereafter. The different patterns observed by age and sex indicated that the decrease in the suicide rate in Italy was initially the result of declining rates in those aged 45+ while, from 1997 on, the decrease was attributable principally to a reduction in suicide rates among the younger age groups. It was found that socioeconomic factors underlined major differences in the suicide rate across regions. Conclusions: The present study confirmed that suicide is a multifaceted phenomenon that may be determined by an array of factors. Suicide prevention should, therefore, be targeted to identifiable high-risk sociocultural groups in each country.

scholarly journals Trends in Suicide Mortality in Montenegro From 2000 to 2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Injac Stevović ◽  
Selman Repišti ◽  
Tamara Radojičić ◽  
Olivera Injac
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Average Salary ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Methods Of Suicide ◽  
Cultural Features

Abstract Background: This is an ecological study that analyzes suicides committed in Montenegro during the 2000-2018 period, taking into account gender, age and methods of suicide. Methods: Suicide rates and trends up until 2009 were obtained from the official registers of Bureau of Statistics of Montenegro (MONSTAT) while the later data were obtained from the Department of Interior’s. MONSTAT also provided data on unemployment and average salary. As per statistical methods, descriptive and correlations were calculated. Results: The average crude suicide rate was 21.06, for males 29.93 and for females 12.42. Crude suicide rates were not associated with unemployment rate or average salary. However, the unemployment rate was significantly correlated with lethal methods of suicide, namely suicide by firearm and by hanging. Average net salary was negatively correlated with suicide by firearm. Conclusions: The ratio of males and females who committed suicide was 2.41. In the last three years, this ratio continues to rise in favor of males (reaching 4.29 in 2018). This could be explained by specific cultural features where males are expected to be the main financial contributors to the households. The labor market of Montenegro does not offer adequate opportunities to set and maintain a stable economic situation which puts additional pressure and stress on males.

Rural and Urban Suicide in South Korea

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Ben Park ◽  
David Lester
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Rural And Urban

Suicide rates in 2005 in South Korea were higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Those in rural areas more often used pesticides and chemicals as a method for suicide, and there was a greater proportion of men and the elderly, both groups at higher risk for suicide in South Korea. These three factors may account for the high rural suicide rate in South Korea.

scholarly journals Suicide rates in Zhejiang Province, China, from 2006 to 2016: a population-based study

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 745-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangrong Fei ◽  
Huixin Liu ◽  
Sequoia I Leuba ◽  
Yichong Li ◽  
Ruying Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Urban Males ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Zhejiang Provincial ◽  
Gender Specific

BackgroundWe investigated the current temporal trends of suicide in Zhejiang, China, from 2006 to 2016 to determine possible health disparities in order to establish priorities for intervention.MethodsWe collected mortality surveillance data from 2006 to 2016 from the Zhejiang Chronic Disease Surveillance Information and Management System from the Zhejiang Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. We estimated region-specific and gender-specific suicide rates using joinpoint regression analyses to determine the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and its 95% CI.ResultsThe crude suicide rate declined from 9.64 per 100 000 people in 2006 to 4.86 per 100 000 in 2016, and the age-adjusted suicide rate decreased from 9.74 per 100 000 in 2006 to 4.14 per 100 000 in 2016. During 2006–2013, rural males had the highest suicide rate, followed by rural females, urban males, and urban females, while after 2013, urban males suicide rates surpassed rural female suicide rates, and became the second highest suicide rate subgroup. The rate of suicide declined in all region-specific and/or gender-specific subgroups except among urban males between 20 and 34 years of age. Their age-adjusted suicide rate AAPC greatly increased to 28.39 starting in 2013 compared with an AAPC of −13.47 from 2006 to 2013.ConclusionsThe suicide rate among young urban males has been alarmingly increasing since 2013, and thus, researchers must develop targeted effective strategies to mitigate this escalating loss of life.

Suicide Trends According to Age, Gender, and Marital Status in South Korea

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Woo Kim ◽  
Hee Young Jung ◽  
Do Yeon Won ◽  
Jae Hyun Noh ◽  
Yong Seok Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Natural Process ◽  
Social Burden ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
The World

The purpose of this study is to examine suicide trends in South Korea, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. The results show that the male suicide rate outweighs that of females, the likelihood of committing suicide increases with age, and that, in regard to marital status, nonmarried people are the most at risk. In addition, several methods of reducing suicide rates are identified: the wider use of social networks to reduce social burden, the development of a social atmosphere where aging is accepted as a natural process, and the development of protection factors within families.

scholarly journals Effect of 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks in London on suicide in England and Wales

2009 ◽  
Vol 194 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Salib ◽  
Mario Cortina-Borja
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Control Charts ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Similar Reduction ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundA reduction in suicide in England and Wales has been reported after the attacks of 11 September 2001 in the USA. It may be plausible therefore to expect a much greater impact on suicide in the UK in response to the events of 7 July 2005, caused by the first suicide terrorist attack by Islamic extremists on British soil.AimsTo examine the effect of the 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks in London on suicide rates in England and Wales.MethodAnalysis of number of suicide (ICD–10 codes X60–X84) and undetermined injury deaths (ICD–10 codes Y10–Y34) reported in England and Wales in the 12 weeks before and after 7 July 2005. We used Shewhart Control Charts based on Poisson rates to explore adjusted daily and weekly suicide rates and rate differences with respect to 7 July 2005.ResultsA brief but significant reduction in daily suicide rate was observed a few days after the terrorist attack in London on 7 July 2005. Further reduction was also observed on the 21 July 2005, coinciding with the second wave of attacks. No similar reduction in suicide was seen during the same period in the previous 4 years. Poisson regression models with indicator variables for each day in July 2005 revealed a reduction of 40% of the expected daily rate for these 2 days only. We found no evidence of any longer-term effect on suicide.ConclusionsThe study findings are contrary to our expectation and only weakly support Durkheim's theory that periods of national threat lower the suicide rate through the impact on social cohesion. It is possible that previous experience of IRA terrorism in the UK may have limited the effect of the 7 July 2005 attacks on suicide in England and Wales. The shock value of suicide terrorism and its psychological potency appear to diminish over time as the tactic becomes overused.

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