Citation

Nejar KA, Benseñor IM, Lotufo PA. Rev. Saude Publica 2007; 41(6): 1062-1064.

Affiliation

Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Faculdade de Higiene e Saude Publica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17992354

Abstract

Several studies have confirmed seasonal variation in suicide rates according to hours of sunshine. The suicide pattern was assessed in Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil, at the tropic of Capricorn from 1996 to 2004. Poisson regression was employed to estimate parameters of seasonality, as well as to verify associations for each day between daylight duration and suicide. During the nine-year study period, there were 3,984 suicides (76.9% in men; median age=38.7 years old). Seasonal averages of suicides were similar, as were monthly averages. Poisson regression did not reveal any association between suicide rates and hours of sunshine (p=0.45) for both sexes. In conclusion, no seasonal pattern was observed for suicides.

Language: en