ABSTRACT
Objective This study aims to explore the characteristics of gender and age in six different suicide methods in urban area of China. Methods We collected 548 suicides from Shanghai, Jinhua, Wuhan, Loudi and Duyun, and then analyzed the age and gender characteristics in each suicide method. Results In the age characteristics, the mean age for jumping and hanging was oldest (about 55 years old), followed by drowning and hanging (about 49 years old), oral intake poisoning was much younger (about 49 years old), while carbon monoxide poisoning was youngest (about 37 years old). In the gender differences, male were more than females in suicides by sharp object (52:24), hanging (67:33) and jumping (55:45), while females were more than males in suicides by drowning (58:42). Conclusion The age and gender difference was eminent in different suicide methods. Carbon monoxide poisoning was the youngest age group in suicides and males involved more than females in suicides by mechanical methods.