Epidemiology of youth suicide in Israel

This study examined sociodemographic correlates and temporal trends in suicide among young Jews, Moslem Arabs, Druzes, and Christian Arabs in Israel.

The average yearly rates (1975 through 1989) for suicide and undertermined causes of death were calculated for children, adolescents, and subjects of army age. Rates were examined by gender, national/religious affiliation, and place of residence for all groups and, in addition, by ethnic origin among the jews. Logistic regression was used to ascertain the statistical differences. Temporal changes were examined by plotting the rates over the 15-year period and fitting a regression line.

Among the young, differences by gender, national/religious, and ethnic origin did not consistently follow the pattern found in adults. Male Jews and Druzes of army age, facing a period of enhanced stress and availability of weapons, showed increased risk for suicide. Temporal trends for suicide differed from the worldwide pattern of increasing risk; these changes, however, were not homogeneous across all groups.

The suicide rates among the youth in Israel, as in adults, are among the lowest in the world. Army service may be a period of enhanced risk, justifying preventive action. The almost worldwide trend of increasing suicide among the young is only partially present.