OP62 A population based study: assessing male suicide trends and inequalities in scotland 1980–2015

Abstract

Background Male suicide rates increased remarkably in Scotland in the 1980s and 1990s, with higher rates in more deprived areas. We examine trends in male suicide in Scotland from 1980 to 2015 by method of suicide and individual socioeconomic position. We also explore trends in inequalities by individual socioeconomic position and the extent to which this may be attributable to suicide method. Methods Suicide deaths for 1980–2015 were obtained from National Records Scotland. Inequalities were assessed using National Statistics socio-economic classification (NS-SEC) for ages 20–59 in 2000–2002 and 2010–2012. Standardised death rates were calculated by age with European population 2013 as reference, and Poisson regression was used to assess trend significance. Inequalities were assessed using Slope of Index of Inequality (SII). Results There were 12 281 suicide deaths between 1980 and 2015. No significant linear trend was observed over time for all ages, but suicide rates per 1 00 000 person-years increased from 21 to 27 between 1980 and 2002 (p Conclusion The decline in male suicide rates may be attributed to suicide prevention strategies introduced by the Scottish Government from 2002 such as Choose Life. Despite decreasing trends of male suicide, suicide by hanging, suffocation, and strangulation increased over time. Inequalities by individual deprivation decreased between 2000–02 and 2010–12. Limitations are that NS-SEC categories, never worked and long term unemployed and not classified, were excluded from the analysis assessing inequalities since the interpretation of results for this group was ambiguous. What effect this omission would have on the estimation of inequalities is unclear. Caution should be taken when comparing inequalities by NS-SEC 2001 and 2011 as in 2011 NS-SEC category was estimated for those without occupation. Policy should be directed at reducing deaths from hanging, suffocation, and strangulation.