Emergency Dispatches for Suicide Attempts During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Okayama, Japan: A Descriptive Epidemiological Study.
J Epidemiol
; 31(9): 511-517, 2021 09 05.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1285238
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hardships associated with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can affect mental health, potentially leading to increased risk of suicide. We examined the relationship between the COVID-19 outbreak and suicide attempts in Okayama, Japan using information from emergency dispatches.METHODS:
This was a descriptive epidemiological study. We collected information on emergency dispatches in Okayama City and Kibichuo from March to August in 2018, 2019, and 2020 (n = 47,770 cases). We compared emergency dispatches and their demographic characteristics, especially focusing on suicide attempts, during these 3 years.RESULTS:
The number of emergency dispatches in 2020 decreased compared with the previous 2 years, while the number and proportion of emergency dispatches related to suicide attempts increased. This increase was more pronounced among women and those aged 25-49 years. Among women aged 25-49 years, there was a cumulative total of 43 suicide attempts in 2018 and 2019 and 73 suicide attempts in 2020.CONCLUSIONS:
The number and proportion of emergency dispatches related to suicide attempts increased in 2020 compared with the previous 2 years, especially among women and those aged 25-49 years. This increase may be partly explained by hardships, such as economic losses or reduced social ties, during the COVID-19 outbreak.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Suicide, Attempted
/
Disease Outbreaks
/
Emergency Medical Dispatch
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
/
Young adult
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Epidemiol
Journal subject:
Epidemiology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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