Abstract
The purpose of our study was to clarify variables associated with suicide ideation and plans in a Japanese population. We conducted a random-sampling survey on mental health and suicide using a self-administered questionnaire for Hamamatsu City residents aged 15-79 yrs between May and June, 2008. This included questions about gender, age, outpatient treatment, alcohol problems, depression, living ar-rangements, marital status, annual family income, industry types as well as suicide ideation and plans. The correlation between these variables and suicide ideation or plans was then analyzed with multiple logistic regression analysis by gender. A total of 1051 responded to this questionnaire (response rate, 53.9%). Variables statistically associated with suicide ideation in males included alcohol problems, depression, lower annual family income, and ac-commodations/eating/drinking services, while in females, the variables were younger age, outpatient treatment, depression, living alone, being single, being separated, lower annual family income, accommodations/eating/drinking services and unemployment. On the other hand, variables statistically associated with suicide plans in males were younger age, alcohol problems, depression, and lower annual family income, while in females they were younger age, alcohol problems, depression, being separated, lower annual family income, manufacturing, and accommodations/eating/drinking services. Ex-cept for industry types, variables associated with suicide ideation or plans were consistent with previous studies. The reason why workers engaging in manufacturing, or accommoda-tions/eating/drinking services were more likely to have suicide ideation or plans may be attributed to the structures and/or stresses unique to those industries.
Highlights
Suicide is a serious public health problem in Japan and internationally
The lower the income males had, the more they were likely to have suicide ideation or plans while the lower the income females had, the more they were likely to only have suicide plans. Both males and females engaging in accommodations/eating/drinking services showed the highest percentage of suicide ideators or planners
There was no statistical difference in suicide ideation (Model 1, Odds ratio (OR): 1.18, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.73 - 1.91, Model 2, OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.54 - 1.83), though statistically more females than males had suicide plans (Model 1, OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.24 - 2.69, Model 2, OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.36 - 3.46)
Summary
Suicide is a serious public health problem in Japan and internationally. In Japanese, it was less than 20.0 per year until 1997, but it increased drastically, exceeding 25.0 in 1998 Since it is reportedly around 25.0 [2]. It is reportedly around 25.0 [2] In light of this situation, “the Basic Act on Suicide Prevention” was approved in June in Japan, 2006, and “the General Policies of Comprehensive Measures against Suicide” were formulated in June, 2007 to urge local governments to adopt measures for suicide prevention [2]. Despite these measures, the Japanese suicide rate has not decreased. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009, Japan has one of the world’s highest suicide rates [4]
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