Suicide rate trends in China from 2002 to 2015 / 中国心理卫生杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:This study aimed to present the time trend of suicide rate in people aged 5 years and over in China from 2002 to 2015,and to describe the rural and urban distribution,and population characteristics of suicide rate in recent 13 years.Methods:The data of suicide rate were based on the China Health Statistics Yearbook published by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (formerly as the Ministry of Health) of the Peoples Republic of China.Poisson regression models were used to test the time trend of the general suicide rate,and region-,gender-and age-specific suicide rates.Results:Since 2002,the suicide rates in urban population,rural population,male and female have decreased significantly.Urban population had higher decreasing trend than rural population,and female had higher decreasing trend than male.Suicide rates in women of reproductive age (15 -49 years) both in rural and urban areas had significantly decreasing trends,and were lower than male with same ages in recent years.There was no statistical difference of the decreasing trend in rural population aged 85 years and over,or young male population in rural area.The annual average suicide rate from 2012 to 2015 was 6.75/100 000.Rural population,male and the older persons had higher suicide rate.Conclusion:The overall suicide rate decreased over the period of 2001-2015.However,it is still important to carry out suicide prevention program,especially in rural area,and in older persons and young male.