Suicide mortality trends in Spain, 1980-2016

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Demography

Background:

• Suicide is a significant public health concern globally.
• Understanding mortality trends is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze changes in suicide mortality trends in Spain from 1980 to 2016.
• To identify significant shifts in suicide rates using joinpoint regression analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized national mortality data from the National Statistics Institute (INE).
• Calculated age-standardized rates (ASR) per 100,000 population using the direct method and European standard population.
• Applied joinpoint regression analysis to detect statistically significant trend changes.

Main Results:

• Age-adjusted suicide rates increased by 0.8% annually in men (9.8 to 11.8 per 100,000) and 1.0% annually in women (2.7 to 3.7 per 100,000) between 1980 and 2016.
• Joinpoint analysis identified three turning points for both genders (men: 1986, 2000, 2010; women: 1986, 2004, 2010).
• From 2010-2016, suicide rates continued to rise in women, while stabilizing in men.

Conclusions:

• Spanish women experienced a notable increase in suicide mortality between 2010 and 2016.
• Suicide mortality rates remained stable in Spanish men during the same period.
• The determinants of the observed increase in female suicide rates are not well understood, necessitating further investigation.