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. 2009 Aug;1(3):142-7.

A public health and suicide risk in Jamaica from 2002 to 2006

Wendel D Abel  1 , Paul A Bourne, Hayden K Hamil, Eulalee M Thompson, Jacqueline S Martin, Roger C Gibson, Frederick W Hickling
Affiliations

A public health and suicide risk in Jamaica from 2002 to 2006

Wendel D Abel et al. N Am J Med Sci. 2009 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of mortality among persons aged 15-44 years. However in Jamaica it is not among the leading cause of mortality; but its importance cannot be ignored because of this fact.

Aims: This study seeks to 1) update the prevalence of suicide in Jamaica, 2) make comparisons with international data, 3) provide an understanding of age-sex composition of those who are committing suicides, and 4) provide public health practitioners with valuable information which will be used to inform policy decisions.

Materials and methods: Secondary data published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force was used for this study. Data were summarized using percentages and associations were examined by Kruskal-Wallis or Analysis of Variance.

Results: The suicide rate averaged 2.26 per 100,000 over the last six years. In 2006, the suicide rate for males was 9 times higher than that of females. The group of 65-74 age, among the male population, recorded the highest suicide rate (11.3 per 100,000) and the 5-14 age group recorded the lowest (0.3 per 100,000). The highest rate for the female population (3.4 per 100,000) was recorded in the 65-74 age group. The 30-39 age group showed an overall higher rate of suicide over the study period, this was followed by the 40-49 age group.

Conclusions: Jamaica's suicide rate is among the lowest in the world and in spite of this, there is a need to formulate a suicide policy for the nation in particular males and young adults.

Keywords: Jamaica; Self-injurious behaviour; cultural programmes; prevention programme; public health; suicide; suicide rate.

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Figures

Fig. 1A
Fig. 1A
Map of Jamaica by parish classification
Fig. 1B
Fig. 1B
Map of Jamaica by 3 main classification: Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Suicide rate by sex and population, 2002-2006
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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