Citation

Kolarzyk E, Godłowska J, Gawlikowski T, Tomaszewska AM, Helbin J. Acta Toxicol. 2003; 11(1): 41-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Polish Society of Toxicology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Literary data and clinical observations indicate that suicidal attempts may be associated with the seasons of the year and the kind of weather. Material and methods: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of meteorological factors (temperature, pressure, precipitation, wind and the kind of atmospheric mass) on suicidal attempts (intoxications only) among 1439 individuals hospitalised in 1998 and 1999 in Toxicology Clinic, Jagiellonian University, Kraków. The analysis was conducted separately for winter, summer and for the transitory seasons. The Χ2 test was used and the Rudder meteotropic coefficients were calculated.

RESULTS: The meteorological parameters had greater influence on younger subjects than on older ones. Suicidal attempts most frequently were undertaken by women under 21 years of age in winter time when the air pressure was high and the region was under the influence of arctic or continental air masses.

CONCLUSIONS: meteorological factors play an important role in the multifactorial aetiology of making the decision to commit suicide.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicidal attempts; Meteorological factors; Summer time; Toxic substances; Transitory seasons; Winter time