Epidemiology of suicide and suicide attempts in Belgium: results from the sentinel network of general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the evolution of incidence of (attempted) suicide between 1993 and 2001 in Belgium and to examine trends in methods, first caretaker and aspects of seasonality.


METHODS
In 1993-1995 and 2000-2001, the national sentinel network of general practitioners registered, for each case of (attempted) suicide, age, sex, date, place of the event, first caretaker, method, and survival.


RESULTS
Between 1993-1995 and 2000-2001, the incidence of suicide increased among men from 29/ 100,000 to 35/ 100,000, and decreased among women from 14/ 100,000 to 11/ 100,000. The incidence of attempted suicide increased among men (from 67/ 100,000 to 71/ 100,000) and women (from 131/ 100,000 to 141/ 100,000). None of the above mentioned changes were statistically significant however. The use of violent methods as opposed to non-violent methods remained unchanged in women (OR: 0.95 [0.63-1.41]).


CONCLUSIONS
No statistically significant trends were observed in the incidence of suicide, the fraction of cases with fatal outcome and the use of violent methods.
Bossuyt
Nathalie
N
Scientific Institute of Public Health, Unit of Epidemiology Brussels, Belgium. Nathalie.bossuyt@iph.fgov.be
Van Casteren
Viviane
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*