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Suicide in developing countries (1): frequency, distribution, and association with socioeconomic indicators
Lakshmi Vijayakumar1, K Nagaraj, Jane Pirkis
1SNEHA & VHS, Chennai, India. dr_svk@vsnl.com
Crisis
|November 10, 2005
Summary
Suicide rates in developing countries vary, with higher rates linked to education and cigarette use. Increased inequality was associated with lower suicide rates, highlighting the need for more research.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociology
Background:
- Suicide presents a significant global public health challenge.
- Epidemiological data on suicide in developing nations is limited.
- This study addresses the need for more research in these regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the availability of suicide rate data in developing countries.
- To describe the frequency and distribution of suicide where data exists.
- To explore socioeconomic factors associated with suicide rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized World Health Organization data for suicide rates during the 1990s.
- Calculated average male, female, and total suicide rates by country and region (Human Development Index - HDI).
- Examined associations between socioeconomic indicators and suicide rates.
Main Results:
- Focused on medium HDI countries due to data availability.
- Suicide rates in these countries were variable but comparable to high HDI nations.
- High education, telephone density, and cigarette consumption correlated with higher suicide rates; inequality correlated with lower rates.
Conclusions:
- Epidemiological studies are crucial for informing suicide prevention in developing countries.
- Such investigations should be actively encouraged.
- Findings provide a basis for targeted suicide prevention strategies in diverse socioeconomic contexts.