Suicide in welfare support workers: a retrospective mortality study in Australia 2001–2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 336-341
Author(s):  
Humaira Maheen ◽  
Stefanie Dimov ◽  
Matthew J Spittal ◽  
Tania L King
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Australian Standard ◽  
Rate Ratios

ObjectivesEmployees working in the welfare and healthcare industry have poorer mental health than other occupational groups; however, there has been little examination of suicide among this group. In this study, we examined suicide rates among welfare support workers and compared them to other occupations in Australia.MethodsWe used data from the National Coroners Information System to obtain suicide deaths between the years 2001 and 2016. Using the Australian standard population from 2001 and Census data from 2006, 2011 and 2016, we calculated age-standardised suicide rates and rate ratios to compare suicide rates across different occupational groups.ResultsOverall, the age-standardised suicide rate of welfare support workers was 8.6 per 100 000 people. The gender-stratified results show that male welfare support workers have a high suicide rate (23.8 per 100 000 people) which is similar to male social workers and nurses (25.4 per 100 000). After adjusting for age and year of death, both males (rate ratio 1.48, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.78) and female welfare support workers (rate ratio 1.49, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.86) have higher suicide rate ratios compared with the reference group (excluding occupations from the comparison groups).ConclusionThe age-standardised suicide rates of male welfare support workers are comparable to occupations which have been identified as high-risk occupations for suicide. Both female and male welfare support workers are at elevated risk of suicide compared with other occupations. Further research is required to understand the drivers of the elevated risk in this group.

scholarly journals 823Suicide of welfare and care support workers: a retrospective mortality study in Australia 2001-2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Humaira Maheen
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Human Service ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Human Service Workers ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Rate Ratios ◽  
Welfare Workers ◽  
Care Support

Abstract Background Emerging evidence suggests that people working in the welfare and health care industry have poorer mental health than other occupational groups; however, there has been little examination of suicide among this group. In this study, we examine suicide rates amongst welfare and care support workers and compare them to rates among human service workers, and all other occupations in Australia. Methods We used data from the National Coroners Information System (NCIS) to obtain records of death due to intentional self-harm between the years 2001 to 2016. We calculated age-standardised suicide rates and incident rate ratios to compare the suicide rates across different occupational groups. Results The age-standardised suicide rate of males is the highest amongst welfare and carers (24.1 per 100,000). After adjusting for age and year of death, we found that men working as welfare workers and carers have a significantly higher suicide rate than men working in other occupations (IRR 1.43, CI 1.2-1.7). Furthermore, male human service workers have a slightly lower rate of suicide than those working in other occupations (IRR 0.73: CI 0.66-0.82). The finding was similarly noted in female suicide deaths, however, the higher suicide rate in female welfare workers was not statistically significant (IRR 1.12 CI 0.9-1.39). Conclusion The suicide rates of welfare and care-related occupations are as high as occupations which are identified as at-risk occupations for male suicide in Australia. Key message There is a need for targeted programs to improve the suicide health literacy among welfare and care support workers.

Social Areas and Durkheim's Theory of Suicide

1976 ◽  
Vol 38 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1313-1314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedrich V. Wenz
Keyword(s):  
Social Integration ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Original Formulation ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Data Support ◽  
Social Area

A reformulation of Durkheim's model of social integration and suicide rates was tested using social survey and census data for social area populations in Flint, Michigan. The hypothesis predicts: the more integrated a social-area population, the lower its suicide rate. It is concluded that the concept of social area defines an adequate unit of analysis for testing Durkheim's model, and the empirical data support Durkheim's original formulation.

Relationships between Beer, Wine, and Spirits Consumption and Suicide Rates in U.S. States from 1977 to 1988

1996 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiepu Liu ◽  
John W. Waterbor ◽  
Seng-Jaw Soong
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Total Alcohol

Relationships between alcohol consumption and suicide rates were examined through an ecological study. Data on total apparent per capita alcohol consumption, as well as beer, wine, and spirits consumption, from 1977 to 1988 in each of the fifty U.S. states and District of Columbia were compared with suicide rates. It was found that total alcohol consumption was weakly but significantly related to suicide rate by univariate analysis ( r = 0.16, p < 0.01). Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.30, 0.12, and −0.01 for correlation of suicide rate with beer, wine, and spirits consumption, respectively. Over the twelve years, the magnitude of associations between total alcohol consumption and suicide varied with correlation coefficients of 0.29, 0.23, 0.09, and 0.11 for four three-year periods, 1977–79, 1980–82, 1983–85, and 1986–88, respectively. The association between beer consumption and suicide persisted over the whole period with correlation coefficients of 0.35, 0.31, 0.26, and 0.30, while that between wine and suicide did not. Associations were also examined by quartile of each alcohol's consumption. Significant inverse association was found for beer as well as total consumptions at the lowest quartile. However, at the highest quartile, beer and spirits consumption showed positive association with suicide. These data suggest a “U-shaped” curve relating suicide rate to alcohol consumption. By using 1980 census data with adjustment for confounding effects of socioeconomic factors, total alcoholconsumption was found to be positively associated with suicide especially at high consumption level. At low level consumption, beer showed an inverse association with suicide after controlling for confounding effects.

739 Association of hospital-diagnosed sleep disorders with suicide: A nationwide cohort study

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A288-A289
Author(s):  
Nikolaj Høier ◽  
Adam Spira ◽  
Annette Erlangsen
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Psychiatric Disease ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Cohort Design ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Rate Ratios ◽  
Relevant Covariates

Abstract Introduction Sleep disorders and psychiatric disease are closely related, and psychiatric diseases are associated with elevated suicide risks. Yet, it is not clear if sleep disorders are associated with suicide as previous studies were limited by self-reported measures. The aim of this study was to examine whether people with a hospital-diagnosis of sleep disorders had higher suicide rates than people with no diagnosis. Methods Using a retrospective cohort design, national data on all persons aged 15 years and over who lived in Denmark during 1980–2016 (males: 3,674,563, females: 3,688,164) were obtained. People with sleep disorders were identified in somatic hospital registers. The main outcome was death by suicide as recorded in the Danish Cause of Death register. Incidence Rate Ratios were obtained using Poisson regressions while adjusting for relevant covariates. Results Out of 23,927 male and 11,556 female suicide deaths, 299 and 117 had been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, respectively. Males with sleep disorders had a suicide rate of 47.4 (95% CI, 42.0–52.7) per 100,000 person-years compared to 29.9 (95% CI, 29.5–30.3) among those with no sleep disorders. For females the respective rates were 42.3 (95% CI, 34.7–50.0) versus 13.9 (95% CI, 13.6–14.1). An adjusted IRR of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.4–1.7) and 2.2 (95% CI, 1.8–2.6) was noted among males and females with sleep disorders, respectively, when compared to those with no disorders. Excess rates were noted with respect to insomnia, narcolepsy and, in males, sleep apnea. A difference with respect to age and sex was observed (p&lt;0.001). Furthermore,IRRs of 4.1(95% CI, 3.1–5.5) and 7.0 (95% CI, 4.8–10.1) were noted for males and females, respectively, during the first 6 months of diagnosis when compared to those not diagnosed. The association between sleep disorders and suicide remained significant when adjusting for psychiatric disorders, although those with psychiatric disorders also had elevated rates, particularly amongst females. Conclusion In this study, individuals with sleep disorders had an increased suicide rate when compared to those with no sleep disorders. Higher suicide rates were found for individuals suffering from narcolepsy, insomnia and sleep apnea. More attention towards risks of suicide among people with sleep disorders might be needed. Support (if any):

Regional, socioeconomic and occupational groups and risk of hospital admission for multiple sclerosis: a cohort study in Sweden

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
X Li ◽  
K Hemminki ◽  
K Sundquist
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Female Administrators ◽  
Classification Of Diseases ◽  
A Minor

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between hospitalization for multiple sclerosis (MS) and region, socioeconomic status and occupation. Methods A nationwide database was constructed by linking Swedish Census data to the Hospital Discharge Register (1987–2001). The hospital diagnoses of MS were based on the International Classification of Diseases. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results Significantly increased or decreased risks of hospitalization for MS were found for individuals living in some counties. The overall SIRs for hospitalizations for MS were close to unity between different socioeconomic groups. Male religious workers, male postal workers and female administrators who had the same occupational title in two consecutive censuses had substantially higher risks of hospitalization for MS than the reference group. However, no increased risks were found for most occupational groups. Conclusions The present study suggests that region, socioeconomic status and occupation have a minor effect on the population’s risk of hospitalization for MS.

Smoker Suicide Rates and Risks in the United States and Frankfurt, Germany

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
B. Leistikow ◽  
K. Petronis ◽  
M. Kettner ◽  
N. Willits ◽  
B. Schneider
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
General Population ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
The Us ◽  
Never Smokers ◽  
Rate Ratios

Background:Suicide and smoking are immense, growing, associated global problems. Recent general population suicide rates and ratios by smoking status are unknown though in past reports, smokers had near three-fold hazard ratios of suicide among health professionals. So we assessed recent suicide rates and rate ratios in the general population of the United States (US) and Frankfurt, Germany.Methods:US National Health Interview Survey interviewees from 1987, 1988, and 1990-94 with near complete follow up through 2002 (representing the US adult non-institutionalized population) and all suicides in 1999-2000 among adult residents of Frankfurt, their proxy respondents, control subjects, and census data were studied using survival time methods. Age was categorized in both samples as 18-30, 31-60 and 61+ years.Results:The respective US versus Frankfurt crude suicide rates per 100,000 were 13.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.4-15.5) versus 17.7 (CI 15.0-20.5) overall, 7.9 (CI 6.4-9.9) versus 12.0 (CI 9.2-14.7) in never smokers, and 22.9 (CI 19.5-27.0) versus 32.0 (CI 24.5-39.6) in current smokers. Smoker suicide rate ratios relative to never smokers ranged from 2.1 (males) to 4.2 (females) in US groups and 1.5 (ages 61+ years) to 3.7 (ages 31-60 years) in Frankfurt groups (each p< 0.05).Discussion:In both the US and Frankfurt, Germany, large absolute and relative excesses of suicide are seen in smokers. Reducing the prevalence of smoking might greatly reduce suicide rates, especially in young and middle-aged adults and US females.Acknowledgements:This study was funded by Pfizer, Inc.

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 The effect of average temperature on suicide rates in five urban California counties, 1999–⁠2019: an ecological time series analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sierra Cheng ◽  
Rebecca Plouffe ◽  
Stephanie M. Nanos ◽  
Mavra Qamar ◽  
David N. Fisman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
The United States ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Average Maximum

Abstract Background Suicide is among the top 10 leading causes of premature morality in the United States and its rates continue to increase. Thus, its prevention has become a salient public health responsibility. Risk factors of suicide transcend the individual and societal level as risk can increase based on climatic variables. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the association between average temperature and suicide rates in the five most populous counties in California using mortality data from 1999 to 2019. Methods Monthly counts of death by suicide for the five counties of interest were obtained from CDC WONDER. Monthly average, maximum, and minimum temperature were obtained from nCLIMDIV for the same time period. We modelled the association of each temperature variable with suicide rate using negative binomial generalized additive models accounting for the county-specific annual trend and monthly seasonality. Results There were over 38,000 deaths by suicide in California’s five most populous counties between 1999 and 2019. An increase in average temperature of 1 °C corresponded to a 0.82% increase in suicide rate (IRR = 1.0082 per °C; 95% CI = 1.0025–1.0140). Estimated coefficients for maximum temperature (IRR = 1.0069 per °C; 95% CI = 1.0021–1.0117) and minimum temperature (IRR = 1.0088 per °C; 95% CI = 1.0023–1.0153) were similar. Conclusion This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting a causal effect of elevated temperature on suicide. Further investigation into environmental causes of suicide, as well as the biological and societal contexts mediating these relationships, is critical for the development and implementation of new public health interventions to reduce the incidence of suicide, particularly in the face increasing temperatures due to climate change.

Firearms and Suicide in Australia

1990 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Cantor ◽  
Terry Lewin
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Firearm Suicide ◽  
Proportional Increase ◽  
Using Data

Australia has a moderate overall suicide rate but an extremely high male firearm suicide rate. Using data covering the years 1961–1985, a series of multiple regression based analyses were performed. During this period, overall suicide rates fell but firearm suicides remained constant with a resulting increase in the proportion of suicides by firearms. There has been an increase in suicides in the young offset by a decline in the elderly. Young males showed the greatest proportional increase in the use of firearms. A limited regional analysis supported the hypothesis that lack of legislative restrictions on long guns in Queensland with a greater household prevalence of such weapons and different cultural attitudes were associated with higher overall and firearm suicide rates. Such findings are consistent with reports from North America, although trends in Australia are more modest. Reducing the availability and cultural acceptance of firearms is likely to decrease suicide rates, especially in males.

Suicide in psychiatric inpatients in Ireland

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Corcoran ◽  
Dermot Walsh
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Psychiatric Inpatients ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Hospital Inpatient ◽  
Fourfold Increase ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Duration Of Illness ◽  
Secure Environment ◽  
One Year

AbstractObjectives:To establish suicide rates of psychiatric inpatients in Ireland and the characteristics, demographic, social and medical, of the patients involved.Method:Clinical, post mortem and inquest data on all such deaths from 1983-1992 were examined. Suicide rates were calculated using ‘person year method’.Results:The suicide rate for short stay inpatients (stay less than one year) was 319/100,000, and 118/100,000 for long stay patients. The average duration of illness at time of suicide was 10 years. A fourfold increase in suicide rate of inpatients over the century was associated with a similar increase in the suicide rate in the general population. Thirty five per cent of suicides were aged 25-34 years. The risk of suicide was higher the shorter the time interval after admission. Three quarters of suicide deaths in registered inpatients occurred away from hospital grounds.Conclusions:Social factors which contribute to an increase in the suicide rate in the general population are relevant to the increase in hospital inpatient suicides. More effective and comprehensive services to meet the needs of those with severe mental illness, particularly young adults, are essential. The results emphasise the importance of managing inpatients in a safe, secure environment. The person year method is appropriate for monitoring changes in suicide rates.

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