[Parasuicide in Sør-Trøndelag 1989-92. Rates and sociodemographic characteristics]

A total of 1,740 events of parasuicide (1,329 persons; female/male ratio 1.4) were registered in the county of Sør-Trøndelag from 1 October 1988 to 31 December 1992. The information was collected by means of monitoring forms completed in hospitals, by general practitioners, and at local health centres. Person-based rates were highest amongst 25-44 year-olds (both sexes). While male rates remained relatively stable, female rates seemed to decline, owing to reduced rates amongst 25-34 year-olds and 45-54 year-olds. For both sexes rates were highest in the urban area of Trondheim. For males and females alike, the lowest rates were found in coastal municipalities. Self-poisoning was involved in 84% of the male and in 92% of the female cases. Rates for divorced and separated males and females (per 100,000) were lower than demonstrated earlier in the catchment area. The largest proportion of female parasuicides were either employed or in receipt of a disability pension; the two largest male groups were unemployed and employed. Low education was characteristic for both sexes. Almost half of each sex reported earlier attempt(s), and the annual rate of repetition varied between 10-21% for females and 11-18% for males.