J Korean Med Sci.  2016 Dec;31(12):2010-2019. 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.12.2010.

Gender-Specific Factors Associated with Suicide Attempts among the Community-Dwelling General Population with Suicidal Ideation: the 2013 Korean Community Health Survey

• Kim M
• Oh GJ
• Lee YH

• KMID: 2355633
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.12.2010

Abstract

We identified traditional risk factors and investigated poorly understood risk factors for suicide attempts according to gender in a large Korean population. We analyzed the data from 6,768 males and 12,475 females with suicidal ideation obtained from the nationwide 2013 Korean Community Health Survey. The dependent variable was suicide attempts within the past year. There was a significant trend towards an increase in suicide attempts with decreasing age in both genders. Compared with those who were married, suicide attempts were significantly higher among those who were widowed, divorced, or separated for males (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-3.20), but lower for females (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98). Current smoking and depression were significant risk factor for suicide attempts in males and females. However, monthly household income, myocardial infarction, and osteoporosis were significantly associated with suicide attempts only in males, whereas education level, recipient of National Basic Livelihood Security, family contact, leisure activity, and drinking frequency were significantly associated only in females. These findings indicate that gender difference should be considered in the assessment, prevention, and management of future suicide attempts by community policy-makers and clinicians.

Keyword

Gender; Suicide Attempt; Risk Factors; Community Health Survey

MeSH Terms

Depression
Divorce
Drinking
Education
Family Characteristics
Female
Health Surveys*
Humans
Leisure Activities
Male
Myocardial Infarction
Osteoporosis
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Suicidal Ideation*
Suicide*
Widowhood
Smoke

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Proportion of suicide attempt decreased according to age in both males and females (Ps < 0.001).

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