Method-specific Suicide Rates in Taipei City, 2002-2005
摘要
Background and Purpose: In order to design effective programs for suicide prevention and control, relevant epidemiological information is needed. The aim of this study was to identify high risk groups and unique suicide pattern in Taipei City by comparing method-specific suicide rates of Taipei City with other cities and counties in Taiwan. Methods: Age-sex-method-specific and age-adjusted suicide rates of each city and county were calculated for the years 2002 to 2005 inclusive. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for each Taipei City district was also calculated, using Taiwan as reference. Suicide methods were grouped as liquid and solid poisoning, gas poisoning, hanging, drowning, jumping and othes. Results: Compared with other cities and counties, the overall suicide rate in Taipei City was relatively low; however, the rate of suicide by jumping was relatively high. Women in Taipei City aged 45 to 64 years old had the highest rate of suicide by jumping and men aged 25 years old and above were more likely to use gas poisoning to kill themselves. For men, the Wanhua, Jhongshan and Sinyi districts had significantly higher SMRs for suicide by jumping and for women, they were the Neihu, Wunshan and Da-an districts. Conclusion: Apart from hanging, suicide by jumping and gas poisoning were the two most prevalent means of suicide in Taipei City. We focus on the latter two methods as areas where counter measures can effectively be prioritized.