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 ◽  
...  

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.

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Yi Kim ◽  
Myoung-Hee Kim ◽  
Ichiro Kawachi ◽  
Youngtae Cho

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.


Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Pompili ◽  
Marco Innamorati ◽  
Monica Vichi ◽  
Maria Masocco ◽  
Nicola Vanacore ◽  
...  

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.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Beatrice Zanella ◽  
Angela Bechini ◽  
Benedetta Bonito ◽  
Marco Del Riccio ◽  
Alessandra Ninci ◽  
...  

Background: Varicella is a well-known infectious disease that can have severe complications, also in young children. The Universal Varicella Vaccination (UVV) program was introduced in Tuscany (Italy) in 2003, with a two-dose vaccine schedule given to children between their 13th and 15th month, and at 5–6 years old, as a monovalent for varicella (V) or tetravalent (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV)) formulation. Although varicella notifications have dramatically fallen in the last two decades, varicella disease underreporting remains a challenge. Methods: A qualitative immunoenzymatic test (ELISA) was used to measure the presence of anti-varicella antibodies in 165 sera of subjects aged 1–18 years residing in the province of Florence (Italy). Information regarding the anamnestic and vaccination status (including disease notification) was also collected. Results: Our study showed an overall varicella seropositivity of 75.8% (reaching the maximum at 96.3% in the 15–18 years age group). We found that varicella disease notification had been recorded for only 7/165 subjects; however, since 42/165 recalled having had the disease, we can hypothesize that some of them must have been underreported. Furthermore, our study showed that the presence of antibodies after the varicella vaccination remained over time, lasting up to 12 years. Conclusions: Although varicella seroprevalence is <95% in almost all our age groups (except for the 15–18 years age group), our data are encouraging and reflect the success of the introduction of the UVV program and the vaccination campaigns promoted in the Tuscany region.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-28
Author(s):  
Zubaida Gulshan Ara ◽  
ASM Shafiqul Islam ◽  
Umme Kulsum Sharmin Zaman ◽  
Anjuman Ara ◽  
Reeva Aireen Busreea

This cross sectional descriptive study was done to see the length of the cervix in Bangladeshi cadaver to find out the anatomical variation and to compare it with other study findings. 60 post mortem specimens containing female genital organs particularly uterine cervix were collected by purposive sampling technique from cadavers of different age groups. All the collected specimens were fixed in 10% formalin solution. This study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College from July 2006 to June 2007. Both gross and fine dissections were performed to measure the length of the uterine cervix. We compare our study findings with that of the references. Maximum mean length of the cervix was found in the 13-45 years age group. It was 2.89 cm. CBMJ 2016 July: Vol. 05 No. 02 P: 26-28


Rev Rene ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Faria Simões ◽  
Luiza Cantão ◽  
Nadja Cristiane Lappann Botti

Objective: to analyze the suicide rate in historical regions of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: epidemiological studyconducted in five historical regions of a Brazilian state. The data used were extracted from the Information Department ofthe National Health System. Results: the Historical Regions of Demonstrations and Wealth presented higher suicide rateswhen compared to the state’s rate. In 11 of the 15 years analyzed, the Region of Wealth had rates higher than that of MinasGerais. Regarding age group, average levels of suicide were found in the age group 20-59 years in 14 years studied. Wealso identified higher suicide rates among men in the Historical Regions. The most used methods in the Historical Regionswere hanging, strangulation and suffocation. Conclusion: the distribution of suicide cases has enabled to understand theepidemiological characteristics of suicide in the Historical Regions of Minas Gerais during the period analyzed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Ben Park ◽  
David Lester

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Woo Kim ◽  
Hee Young Jung ◽  
Do Yeon Won ◽  
Jae Hyun Noh ◽  
Yong Seok Shin ◽  
...  

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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 100 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1140-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lester

The declining English suicide rate from 1960–1975 was consistent with explanations involving the reduced toxicity of domestic gas, the increase in the number of suicide prevention centers, and increasing social stress. It was impossible to ascertain which explanations were correct and which incorrect.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Cibis ◽  
A. Bramesfeld ◽  
R. Mergl ◽  
D. Althaus ◽  
G. Niklewski ◽  
...  

Aims:For developing suicide prevention interventions, epidemiologic, socio-economic and demographic factors influencing suicide rates are of high interest. One considerable factor in this respect is gender, as in most countries male suicide rates are much higher than female suicide rates with a global average male/female ratio of 3.6:1. The present study seeks to contribute to the clarification of the question what underlies the different suicide rates of men and women by analyzing gender-specific lethality of suicide methods.Method:Data on completed (fatal) and attempted (non-fatal) suicides from 2000 to 2004 were collected in two cities in the region of Bavaria, Germany. This data sample offers the opportunity to compare data of suicidal acts including completed as well as attempted suicides of the same region during the same time. The lethality for each suicide method was estimated by dividing the number of fatal episodes by the total episodes and then related to gender and age.Results:Lethality per method was higher for men than for women; significant differences could be shown for the majority of methods. Regarding age, lethality rising with age could be shown. Still, in higher age groups, differences in lethality between men and women were significant.Conclusion:Results stress the importance of gender-specific suicide prevention. Male-specific suicide-prevention should be concerned with improving access to and treatment of men under risk for suicidal behaviour. Addressing the problem through multifaceted programs therefore is a promising approach.


Author(s):  
Ragini Mishra ◽  
Navin Mishra

Aims: The present study was done to identify the epidemiology of the disease outbreak in Bihar in 2017 and suggest remedial measures for the prevention of possible future outbreaks of Chikungunya. Study Design:  Daily reports on Chikungunya were collected in prescribed format from the District Surveillance Unit, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) that included case details from Govt. Medical Colleges and various Private Hospitals in the State. Place and Duration of Study: Index case of Chikungunya was reported in Bihar, India on 15 Feb 2017. After that, few scattered cases were reported till 23 Aug 2017. Cases started increasing from 24 Aug 2017 onwards. From 15 Feb till 31 Dec 2017, total 1223 cases were reported from 32 districts in Bihar. Methodology: The cases were analysed concerning time, place and person. Daily reporting on the health conditions of the cases and the status of the control measures like fogging and larvicidal spray in the affected area was monitored at the State level. Results: Case Fatality Rate (CFR) due to the disease was Nil in the State. The outbreak peak laid from 3-Nov to 12-Nov when 218 cases were reported. Out of 1223 cases, 100% cases were ELISA confirmed. Almost all age groups were affected, but the frequency was greater in the age group 21-30 (25%)> 31-40 (21%)>11-20 (19%). Males (61%) were more affected than females (39%). Out of the total 1223 cases, 100% of the cases were reported from Govt. institutions. State Health Department, Govt. of Bihar took many measures to limit the outbreak, and through strengthening the surveillance and response activities, transmission of the disease was curtailed in the State.     Conclusion: Patna district was most affected followed by Nalanda and Vaishali. Young adults of age group 21-30 were most affected. Males were more affected than females.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document