Analysis of suicides in the catchment area of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich Switzerland
A retrospective cohort study of sex differences, suicide methods and trends over time
- Open Access
- 19.01.2024
- Original reports
Erschienen in:
- Verfasst von
- Larissa Gübelin
- Akos Dobay
- Raffael Golomingi
- Michael Thali
- Lars Ebert
- Sabine Franckenberg
- Erschienen in
- Rechtsmedizin | Ausgabe 2/2024
Abstract
Background and objective
Suicide has a profound impact on both the affected families and society at large. Among young adults it even ranks as the fourth leading cause of death. Therefore, analysis of suicides is crucial for enhancing prevention strategies. This study aims to (I) investigate sex and age differences, (II) differences in methods and (III) locations (urban vs. rural) among those who committed suicide over a time period of 10 years in the catchment area of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich.
Material and methods
The archive of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich was searched for postmortem examinations and autopsy reports from completed suicides over a time period of 10 years. All relevant data were extracted from the written reports and five age groups were defined (group I ≤ 30 years, group II 31–44 years, group III 45–54 years, group IV 55–64 years and group V > 64 years). Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis one-way variance analysis by rank was used for the statistical analysis on each criterion.
Results
Of the 1174 individuals included in the study, 72% were male, and 28% were female, with a mean age of approximately 52 years at the time of suicide. No relevant change was observed in the male-to-female ratio over the 10 years; however, women showed a trend toward a lower age at suicide. In terms of suicide methods, men had a higher rate of shooting (21.2% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.1) and hanging (24.4% vs. 16.4%, p < 0.1), whereas women had a higher rate of intoxication (21.6% vs. 9.0%, p < 0.1). The choice of suicide method also varied across age groups. Regarding location, completed suicides declined in urban regions but increased in rural regions.
Conclusion
Prevention plans should be reviewed, especially given the trend toward younger women completing suicide. Suicide prevention remains a major sociopolitical challenge that demands continuous review and the adaptation of suicide prevention strategies.
- Titel
-
Analysis of suicides in the catchment area of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich Switzerland
A retrospective cohort study of sex differences, suicide methods and trends over time - Verfasst von
-
Larissa Gübelin
Akos Dobay
Raffael Golomingi
Michael Thali
Lars Ebert
Sabine Franckenberg
- Publikationsdatum
- 19.01.2024
- Verlag
- Springer Medizin
- Erschienen in
-
Rechtsmedizin / Ausgabe 2/2024
Print ISSN: 0937-9819
Elektronische ISSN: 1434-5196 - DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00194-023-00676-3
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