Self-reported suicidal behaviours and associated factors in the general population of Latvia (2010-2018).

BACKGROUND: Latvia has the second highest suicide rate in the European Union - with a total population age-standardized suicide rate of 16.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. AIMS: We aimed to assess the prevalence of different types of self-reported suicidal behaviours in Latvia and determine the associated sociodemographic and health-related factors. METHODS: This study was based on secondary data obtained from the Health Behaviour Among Latvian Adult Population survey. A representative sample of the general population was used, aged 15 to 64 years in 2010, 2012, 2014; and 15 to 74 years in 2016 and 2018 (n = 16,084). Respondents were asked to report the occurrence of life weariness, death wishes, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans and suicide attempts during the previous year. We assessed socio-demographics and health-related factors associated with suicidality. We performed univariate analysis and constructed stepwise multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: In 2010 to 2018, 15.6% of responders reported some type of suicidal behaviour (95% CI [15.1, 16.2]). Sociodemographic factors - including non-cohabitation status and Latvian nationality - were associated with mild (life-weariness and death wishes) and serious (suicidal ideation, plans to commit suicide, suicide attempts) types of behaviour. Older age was associated with mild suicidal behaviours, whereas lower educational levels were associated with serious suicidal behaviours. Diagnosed depression, self-reported depression, self-reported anxiety, stress, low mood, alcohol intake habits with heavy drinking episodes (less than monthly, monthly and weekly), perceived health as average or below average, disuse of primary health services were associated with mild and serious types of suicidal behaviour. Current smoking status and absenteeism were associated with mild suicidal behaviour types. Self-reported insomnia, having at least two somatic diagnoses, occasional smoking status, absenteeism with 11 or more days in the last year, receiving disability pension were associated with serious suicidal behaviour types. Musculoskeletal diseases exhibited preventive effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that certain groups of individuals might exhibit greater vulnerability to suicidality.

Assessment of Iodine and Selenium Nutritional Status in Women of Reproductive Age in Latvia.

Background and Objectives: Adequate dietary intake of iodine and selenium is essential during pregnancy. While iodine is vital for maternal thyroid function and fetal development, selenium contributes to the regulation of thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity. This study aimed to assess the consumption of iodine- and selenium-containing products by women of reproductive age and the iodine and selenium nutritional status of pregnant women in Latvia. Materials and Methods: Population health survey (2010-2018) data were used to characterize dietary habits in women of reproductive age. Additionally, 129 pregnant women in the first trimester were recruited; they completed a questionnaire and were tested for thyroid function, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and serum selenium and selenoprotein P levels. Results: The use of some dietary sources of iodine (e.g., milk and dairy products) and selenium (e.g., bread) has decreased in recent years. Less than 10% of respondents reported the use of iodized salt. The use of supplements has become more common (reported by almost 50% of respondents in 2018). Dietary habits were similar in pregnant women, but the use of supplements was even higher (almost 70%). Nevertheless, most supplements used in pregnancy had insufficient contents of iodine and selenium. Thyroid function was euthyreotic in all women, but 13.9% of participants had a thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-ab) level above 60 IU/mL. The median UIC (IQR) was 147.2 (90.0-248.1) µg/gCr, and 52.8% of pregnant women had a UIC below 150 µg/gCr. The mean selenium (SD) level was 101.5 (35.6) µg/L; 30.1% of women had a selenium level below 80 µg/L. The median selenoprotein P level was 6.9 (3.1-9.0) mg/L. Conclusions: Iodine nutrition in Latvian population of pregnant women was near the lower limit of adequate and a third of the population had a selenium deficiency. Supplements were frequently used, but most did not contain the recommended amounts of iodine and selenium.

The 12-month prevalence of depression and health care utilization in the general population of Latvia.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the 12-month prevalence of major and minor depression in the Latvian population, and to evaluate associated health care utilization. METHODS: Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with a multistage stratified probability sample of the Latvian general population, ages 15-64 (n=3003). Participants were interviewed using the depression module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Self-reported health care utilization and somatic illness were also assessed. Multinomial logistic regressions were applied. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of major depression was 7.9% (95%CI 7.0-8.9), while for minor depression it was 7.7% (95%CI 6.8-8.7). We did not find a substantial difference in the relative risk ratio (RRR 1.7 for female) for having major depression by gender. RRR of having major depression was higher for those who had used healthcare services six or more times (RRR 2.0), those who had three or more somatic disorders during the past 12 months (RRR 2.3), those who perceived their health status as being below average (RRR 8.3), and those who were occasional smokers (RRR 3.0). RRR of having minor depression was increased for those who had at least three somatic disorders (RRR 2.3), those who received disability pension (RRR 1.9), and those who perceived their health status to be below average (RRR 3.0). LIMITATIONS: The study was cross-sectional. Other psychiatric comorbidity was not assessed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first population based study reporting the 12-month prevalence of depression in Latvia. Certain factors associated with depression have been found.

Self-reported suicide attempts and exposure to different types of violence and neglect during childhood: Findings from a young adult population survey in Latvia.

AIMS: Suicide rates in Latvia are among the highest in the EU. Among 18-25 year-old young adults, it is the second leading cause of death. This study investigates the prevalence of self-reported suicide attempts in young adults and examines its association with neglect or violence of a physical, emotional or sexual nature. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 1259 young adults 18-25 years of age, selected by targeted quota sampling from secondary and vocational schools. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported suicide attempts was 6.1%. Physical and emotional adverse experiences showed clear associations with attempted suicide. Although prevalence of reported physical neglect was higher than for physical violence (27.0% versus 16.3%, respectively) the latter posed a higher risk for attempted suicide (OR = 4.0; 95% CI, 2.4-6.6). Conversely, emotional violence had a higher prevalence than emotional neglect (31.5% vs. 23.6%, respectively), but neglect showed a stronger association with attempted suicide (OR = 4.4; 95% CI, 2.6-7.3). CONCLUSIONS THE HIGH OR FOR ATTEMPTED SUICIDE ASSOCIATED WITH EMOTIONAL NEGLECT, TOGETHER WITH FINDINGS THAT EMOTIONAL VIOLENCE HAD THE HIGHEST PREVALENCE, AND THAT EMOTIONAL NEGLECT AND EMOTIONAL VIOLENCE SHOWED THE HIGHEST POPULATION ATTRIBUTABLE RISK FRACTION POPAR% OF 468 AND 404, RESPECTIVELY, SUGGESTED THAT EMOTIONAL FACTORS MERIT SPECIAL ATTENTION IN FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN LATVIA THE TARGETED QUOTA SAMPLING METHOD FROM FIVE CITIES REPRESENTING ALL REGIONS OF LATVIA AND 438% OF ITS POPULATION, ENSURE NATIONAL RELEVANCE OF OUR FINDINGS FOR POLICY AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT BY LEGISLATIVE, EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS.

Prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of self-reported suicidal behaviours in Latvia in 2010: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The fact that Latvia is among the countries with the highest suicide mortality rates in the European Union highlights the importance of research in this field. AIMS: The aims of the study were to determine the 2010 prevalence of self-reported suicidal behaviours in Latvia, to identify sociodemographic risk factors and to examine sequences for reporting of suicidal behaviours. METHODS: Computer assisted personal interviews were carried out to gather information on a representative sample of the Latvian population aged 18 to 64 (n = 2816). The study sample was selected using a combination of stratified random sampling and quota methods. RESULTS: Last year prevalence of any type of suicidal behaviour was 18.5% - nearly threefold lower than observed in 2000 (52.6%). Middle age, non-cohabitation status and lower level of education were significant risk factors for serious types of suicidal behaviour (suicidal ideation, suicidal plans, suicide attempts) among men, but only lower level of education was for women. Risk factors regarding mild types of suicidal behaviour (life-weariness, death wishes) were the same for men and women: older and middle aged, non-cohabitation status, and lower level of education. A total of 79.6% reported a continuous pattern of suicidal behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Several sociodemographic risk factors for suicidal behaviours have been found. Further research is needed to clarify additional risk factors, especially in the high-risk groups studied and specific determinants contributing to reduction in prevalence of suicidal behaviours and suicide mortality in Latvia.