Living circumstances of suicide mortality in a South African city: an ecological study of differences across race groups and sexes.
In this study the importance of living area circumstances for suicide mortality was explored. Suicide mortality was assessed across race and sex groups in a South African city and the influence of area-based compositional and sociophysical characteristics on suicide risk was considered. Suicide mortality rates are highest among Whites, in particular White males. Main--and independent--dimensions of the living circumstances of residential areas (i.e., socioeconomic circumstances, economic need, and matrimony) influence age-adjusted suicide rates for both sexes but minimally so for race groups. Less favorable clusters of circumstances have a protective effect.
Burrows
Stephanie
S
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden. stephanie.burrows@phs.ki.se
Laflamme
Lucie
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012931:Social Environment; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data