Seasonality of violent suicides in the Athens greater area.
The aim of the study was to ascertain suicide seasonality in the Greek population and to associate this seasonal variation with age, sex, and suicide method. Studying seasonality can be of help in establishing a public health policy, related with suicide prevention. This is an epidemiologic study based on forensic evidence. We studied the deaths caused by self-injury (trauma), namely deaths by violent suicide (not self-poisoning). Statistically significant suicide seasonality was established with a peak in May. This seasonal variation is attributed mainly to males. As for the method, suicide by hanging peaks in June and by shooting in April. It was also observed that seasonality for individuals above the age of 45 peaks in early May.
Christodoulou
C
C
Second Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens Medical School, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece. christo.christodoulou@gmail.com
Papadopoulos
I N
IN
Douzenis
A
A
Kanakaris
N
N
Leukidis
C
C
Gournellis
R
R
Vlachos
K
K
Papadopoulos
F C
FC
Lykouras
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*