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Suicidal behavior among Muslim Arabs in Israel
Gilad Gal1, Nehama Goldberger, Ahmed Kabaha
1Mental Health Epidemiology & Psychosocial Aspects of Illness, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. giladga@gertner.health.gov.il
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|February 10, 2011
Summary
Muslim-Israelis have lower completed suicide rates than Jewish-Israelis. However, self-reported suicide attempts are higher among Muslims, suggesting reporting biases in suicide data.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociology of Religion
Background:
- Global data indicate lower suicide rates in Muslim populations, but methodological limitations exist.
- This study addresses data reliability issues concerning suicide rates among religious groups in Israel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare reliable rates of completed suicide, ideation, planning, and attempts between Muslim-Israelis and Jewish-Israelis.
- To investigate potential discrepancies in suicide reporting across different data sources.
Main Methods:
- Utilized death certificates (2003-2007) for completed suicides.
- Employed the National Emergency Room Admissions Database (NERAD) for suicide attempts (2003-2007).
- Used the Israel National Health Survey (INHS) (2003-2004) for self-reported lifetime ideation, planning, and attempts.
Main Results:
- Completed suicide rates were 3.0/100,000 for Muslims vs. 8.2/100,000 for Jews.
- NERAD data showed lower suicide attempt rates among Muslim men compared to Jewish men; no gender difference in attempts for women aged 15-44.
- INHS data revealed higher self-reported lifetime suicide attempts among Muslims (2.8%) than Jews (1.2%), with similar rates for ideation and planning.
Conclusions:
- Lower completed suicide rates in Muslim-Israelis may be linked to Islamic prohibitions against suicide.
- Discrepancies between self-reports and official records for suicide attempts highlight potential social pressures and reporting biases.
- Further research is needed to reconcile differing findings on suicide attempts and understand reporting influences.
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