Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the trend in the standardized suicide rates by gender, according to Brazil's geographic regions from 2000 to 2017. Mortality data were retrieved from the Brazilian Mortality Information System database. Linear regression models were used, and Durbin-Watson tests were applied to detect the independence of the residues, as well as Prais-Winsten to control serial autocorrelation. We classified the trends as increasing, decreasing, and stable at 5% significance level. The standardized rate of deaths by suicide for men increased by 75%, from 6.5 to 11.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. For women, the increase was 85%, from 1.6 to 3.0 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. We found a gradual increase in the standardized suicide rates in all regions for both genders. The growth magnitude of suicide rates in the South is twice for women, whereas for the Northeast it is greater for men. The South and the Central-West regions presented the highest rates, whereas the North the lowest. The trend of standardized rates of suicide is linear and significantly increasing for Brazil and its total geographic regions for both genders. Male and female suicide rates indicate different risk rates according to gender.
Highlights
Suicide is a complex human phenomenon with great effect both individually and collectively, being one of the forms of self-inflicted violence with the highest incidence
Rates are higher for ideation and non-fatal suicidal behavior
The database of mortality was retrieved from the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM), available via the Brazilian Health Informatics Department (DATASUS)
Summary
Suicide is a complex human phenomenon with great effect both individually and collectively, being one of the forms of self-inflicted violence with the highest incidence. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 1, the overall age-standardized suicide rate was 10.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016 (13.7 men and 7.5 women). In Brazil, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death from external factors, accounting for 8% of deaths in 2017 2. Relevant differences in suicide rates by gender are known as the “gender suicide paradox”. One of the most intriguing aspects is why the suicide rates of men are much higher than women. Rates are higher for ideation (suicidal thought) and non-fatal suicidal behavior. Females are three times more likely to attempt suicide, whereas men are two to four times more likely to die from a suicide attempt [3,4]
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