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Spatiotemporal variation and social determinants of suicide in China, 2006–2012: findings from a nationally representative mortality surveillance system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2015

S. Liu ,
A. Page ,
P. Yin ,
T. Astell-Burt ,
X. Feng ,
Y. Liu ,
J. Liu ,
L. Wang  and
M. Zhou
S. Liu
Affiliation:
National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
A. Page
Affiliation:
School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia
P. Yin
Affiliation:
National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
T. Astell-Burt
Affiliation:
School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
X. Feng
Affiliation:
School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Sydney, Australia
Y. Liu
Affiliation:
National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
J. Liu
Affiliation:
National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
L. Wang
Affiliation:
National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
M. Zhou*
Affiliation:
National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
*
*Address for correspondence: M. Zhou, Ph.D., National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Nanwei Road, Xicheng District, 100050 Beijing, People's Republic of China. (Email: maigengzhou@126.com)
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Abstract

Background

Suicide in China has declined since the 1990s. However, there has been limited investigation of the potential spatiotemporal variation and social determinants of suicide during subsequent periods.

Method

Annual suicide counts from 2006 to 2012 stratified by county, 5-year age group (⩾15 years) and gender were obtained from the Chinese Disease Surveillance Points system. Trends and geographic differentials were examined using multilevel negative binomial regression models to explore spatiotemporal variation in suicide, and the role of key sociodemographic factors associated with suicide.

Results

The suicide rate (per 100 000) in China decreased from 14.7 to 9.1, 2006–2012. Rates of suicide were higher in males than females and increased substantially with age. Suicide rates were higher in rural areas compared with urban areas; however, urban–rural disparities reduced over time with a faster decline for rural areas. Within both urban and rural areas, higher rates of suicide were evident in areas with lower socio-economic circumstances (SEC) [rate ratio (RR) 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–2.62]. Suicide rates varied more than twofold (median RR 2.06) across counties, and were highest in central and southwest regions of China. A high proportion of the divorced population, especially for younger females, was associated with lower suicide rates (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46–0.79).

Conclusions

Geographic variations for suicide should be taken into account in policy making, particularly for older males living in rural areas and urban areas with low SEC. Measures to reduce disparities in socio-economic level and alleviate family relation stress are current priorities.

Keywords

Geographical variationmortalitysocial determinantssuicidetrends
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 45 , Issue 15 , November 2015 , pp. 3259 - 3268
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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