Declining Use of Firearms to Commit Suicide in Alabama in the 1980s

Abstract

Differences and trends of methods in suicide were examined using data from 1980 through 1989 in Alabama, with special attention to compare firearm versus non-firearm suicide. It was found that 78.7 percent of suicides were victims of firearms. Whites had a higher risk of using firearms in suicide than nonwhites with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0–1.5). The OR for males compared to females was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.5–2.1). Comparing to single marital status, married, widowed, and divorced people all had increased risks of using firearms. People living in rural areas were more likely to use firearms in suicide than those living in urban areas. There was an increasing trend of firearm use with age. However, the risk of using firearms to commit suicide has declined in recent years in contrast to previous reports. The recent change in trend of firearm suicide in Alabama should be examined in other states.