Citation

Aoki K, Sun J, Kono A, Misumi J. Homeost. Health Dis. 2005; 43(3): 128-135.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Czechoslovak Medical Society J. Ev. Purkyne)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The time trends for suicide during the latter half of the 20th century in Ireland have not been presented and little is known about the effect of suicide and homicide on life expectancy for the Irish population.

METHODS: National mortality and population data in Ireland, from 1950 to 2000, were used in our study. All the data were collected from Vital Statistics, Central Statistics Office in Ireland. Cause-specific death rates were examined. Rates were compared in years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to suicide. Changes during this period were also studied. The findings were compared with those of homicide.

RESULTS: An increasing trend for mortality from suicide was noted in Ireland from 4.24 to 18.13 per 100000 population in males and from 0.82 to 3.78 in females respectively. Percentage change in YPLL from suicide for males was 534%, and that for females was 667% over the 50-year study period. Increased YPLL were observed in all age groups between 1950 and 2000. The range of male to female sex ratio in YPLL at birth was from 1.6 to 5.2 over the last 50 years. Homicide mortality rate was very low especially in females and YPLL from homicide deaths can be almost neglected in this country.

CONCLUSIONS: Much increased mortality from suicide led to evident increase in YPLL from suicide especially in males over 15 years old and there was a very high mortality rate in 2000. Intervention strategies should therefore be targeted towards these age groups to minimize preventable mortality.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; Homicide; gender; homicide; suicide; Suicide; Mortality; child; female; infant; male; newborn; aged; mortality; Age; Sex; life expectancy; Ireland; article; controlled study; sex ratio; socioeconomics; population research; age distribution; data analysis