Differences in Methods of Self-Inflicted Injuries by Sex in Wisconsin, 2002-2014

Abstract

Background: Despite suicide prevention efforts, there remains a high burden of self-inflicted injuries in Wisconsin.

Objective: Compare methods of suicide and nonfatal self-inflicted injury by sex in Wisconsin over a 12-year period.

Methods: Suicide and nonfatal self-inflicted injury rates in Wisconsin between 2002 and 2014 were compared by sex and method using data from the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health. Percentages of total suicides by method of injury for each sex were calculated.

Results: Firearms and poisoning were the most common methods of suicide and nonfatal selfinflicted injuries, respectively. Rates of both suicide and nonfatal self-inflicted injuries differed significantly by sex and method.

Conclusions: Suicide prevention strategies in Wisconsin must account for the variability of method of self-inflicted injury between sexes.