Suicide in Australian farming, 1988-1997.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and describe suicide data for occupational classifications relating to farm managers and agricultural labourers for Australia for the period 1988 to 1997, and to relate resultant suicide rates to farmers' terms of trade.


METHODS
Descriptive and linear regression analysis of aggregated mortality data.


RESULTS
In the period 1988 to 1997, 921 suicides were identified. The majority of these suicides were farm managers (67.4%). Farm manager suicides occurred predominantly in older age groups (55 + years). In comparison agricultural labourer suicides were younger, with the majority of suicides occurring in the 15-39 years age group. The most common methods for both groups were firearms (particularly hunting rifles and shot guns), hanging and motor vehicle exhaust gas. These methods accounted for approximately 81% of all male farm suicides. Firearms accounted for 51% of male farm suicide, in comparison to 23% for the wider Australian male population for the same period. Estimated age standardized rates per 100 000 for male farm managers for the 10-year period ranged from 24.8 to 51.4. For male agricultural labourers these rates ranged from 23.5 to 41.9. Analyses also revealed a negative correlation (r = -0.75, p < 0.01) between farm manager suicide rates and farmers' terms of trade.


CONCLUSIONS
Male farm manager and agricultural labourer suicide rates are higher than male national rates and rates in the wider rural population, particularly in the later years of the period investigated. Firearms prefigure as the most common method of suicide, despite decreases in this method in the wider rural population. Establishing more accurate denominator data for the farming community is a priority, as is preventative action that accounts for unique aspects of farm life.
Page
Andrew N
AN
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Edward Ford Building, A27, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2066, Australia. apage@health.usyd.edu.au
Fragar
Lyn J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia; D002423:Cause of Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality