Characteristics Affecting Suicide Method : Based on the Analysis of Suicide Mortality Data in One District of Seoul

Bae, Sung June; Woo, Young Sup; Bahk, Won Myong

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Suicide has become one of the most serious public health problems today in Korea. In this study, we investigated the demographic and social characteristics affecting the use of various suicide methods.
METHODS
The data relating to the types of suicide deaths including factors such as the age, gender, education level, the time of death, the place of death, and the method of death reported from 2008 to 2014 in Yeoungdeungpo-gu, Seoul, which were reviewed and analyzed in this study. The variants of each suicide method were compared using a Chi square and the Fisher's exact test. Additionally, a Spearman correlation analysis and a logistic regression analysis were also performed.
RESULTS
The results noted that more than half of suicide victims (68.4%) were male. The most frequent suicide deaths were in the spring (29.1%), and were performed during the afternoon (33.4%). In this review, it is noted that the methods of hanging (59.4%), leaping (17.0%), and gas intoxication (8.9%) were the most frequent suicide methods used by the suicide victims. A logistic regression analysis showed that poisoning had a lower risk of occurrence in night/morning time. In fact, gas poisoning was more dangerous in males, especially males who were younger, and occurred more frequently in the winter months. In this respect, the method of hanging was found to be higher in the low-educated group of people who committed suicide as reviewed. It is noted that drowning was a riskier factor in females, who were elderly and who committed suicide more frequently in the summer. The risk of leaping was increased in elderly populations who were also noted to be highly-educated.
CONCLUSION
There was a significant difference in sex, age, educational level, season, suicide time, and suicide location according to each suicide method as reviewed and utilized in this study. The results note that it is necessary to emphasize the prevention of different suicide methods according to population groups.