ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Seasons , Suicide/statistics & numerical data , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Violence/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Cause of Death , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Greece , Humans , Incidence , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Suicide/psychology , Violence/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the emergency response to an earthquake. METHODS: This retrospective study, based on formal autopsy findings from 111 earthquake-related deaths, evaluated demographic data, circumstances of death, rescue time, mechanisms of injury, causes of death, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS 90) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) values, vital functions, co-morbidity and preventable deaths. RESULTS: The median extrication time for 99 of 102 victims buried or trapped in collapsed buildings was 2.1 (range 0.1-7.8) days. Deaths were cause by blunt injuries, asphyxia and myocardial infarction. Injuries impaired the airway, breathing, circulation, and brain or spinal functions in 10.5, 61.9, 46.6 and 57.1 per cent of the victims respectively. The 105 injured victims were classified into three main categories. The first comprised 36 victims (34.3 per cent) with injuries not compatible with life (ISS 75), the second included 38 victims (36.2 per cent) who suffered life-threatening injuries (ISS 9-74) but had no evidence of asphyxia, and the third category contained 31 victims (29.5 per cent) with findings of asphyxia and an ISS of 1-18. The reviewers concluded that 13 trauma-related deaths and 31 deaths from asphyxia were potentially preventable. CONCLUSION: A method based on detailed evaluation of deaths provided information with which to audit the emergency response to an earthquake.
