Display options
Cite
Abel WD, Bourne PA, Hamil HK, et al. A public health and suicide risk in Jamaica from 2002 to 2006. N Am J Med Sci. 2009;1(3):142-7
Abel, W. D., Bourne, P. A., Hamil, H. K., Thompson, E. M., Martin, J. S., Gibson, R. C., & Hickling, F. W. (2009). A public health and suicide risk in Jamaica from 2002 to 2006. North American journal of medical sciences, 1(3), 142-7.
Abel, Wendel D, et al. "A public health and suicide risk in Jamaica from 2002 to 2006." North American journal of medical sciences vol. 1,3 (2009): 142-7.
Abel WD, Bourne PA, Hamil HK, Thompson EM, Martin JS, Gibson RC, Hickling FW. A public health and suicide risk in Jamaica from 2002 to 2006. N Am J Med Sci. 2009 Aug;1(3):142-7. PMID: 22666687; PMCID: PMC3364645.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

N Am J Med Sci. 2009 Aug;1(3):142-7.

A public health and suicide risk in Jamaica from 2002 to 2006.

North American journal of medical sciences

Wendel D Abel, Paul A Bourne, Hayden K Hamil, Eulalee M Thompson, Jacqueline S Martin, Roger C Gibson, Frederick W Hickling

Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies.

PMID: 22666687 PMCID: PMC3364645

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of mortality among persons aged 15-44 years. However in Jamaica it is not among the leading cause of mortality; but its importance cannot be ignored because of this fact.

AIMS: This study seeks to 1) update the prevalence of suicide in Jamaica, 2) make comparisons with international data, 3) provide an understanding of age-sex composition of those who are committing suicides, and 4) provide public health practitioners with valuable information which will be used to inform policy decisions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Secondary data published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force was used for this study. Data were summarized using percentages and associations were examined by Kruskal-Wallis or Analysis of Variance.

RESULTS: The suicide rate averaged 2.26 per 100,000 over the last six years. In 2006, the suicide rate for males was 9 times higher than that of females. The group of 65-74 age, among the male population, recorded the highest suicide rate (11.3 per 100,000) and the 5-14 age group recorded the lowest (0.3 per 100,000). The highest rate for the female population (3.4 per 100,000) was recorded in the 65-74 age group. The 30-39 age group showed an overall higher rate of suicide over the study period, this was followed by the 40-49 age group.

CONCLUSIONS: Jamaica's suicide rate is among the lowest in the world and in spite of this, there is a need to formulate a suicide policy for the nation in particular males and young adults.

Keywords: Jamaica; Self-injurious behaviour; cultural programmes; prevention programme; public health; suicide; suicide rate

References

  1. West Indian Med J. 2005 Dec;54(6):387-91 - PubMed
  2. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2005 Oct-Nov;18(4-5):256-62 - PubMed
  3. West Indian Med J. 1985 Mar;34(1):48-53 - PubMed
  4. Child Care Health Dev. 2005 Sep;31(5):525-32 - PubMed
  5. Arch Suicide Res. 2009;13(1):74-86 - PubMed
  6. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2005;61(4):335-65 - PubMed
  7. East Mediterr Health J. 2007 Jul-Aug;13(4):953-60 - PubMed
  8. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2004 Nov-Dec;38(11-12):933-9 - PubMed
  9. Trop Med Int Health. 2005 Mar;10(3):240-5 - PubMed
  10. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2005 Nov-Dec;20(6):488-500 - PubMed
  11. West Indian Med J. 1991 Mar;40(1):16-21 - PubMed
  12. Epidemiol Rev. 2008;30:133-54 - PubMed
  13. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1992 Mar;27(2):69-74 - PubMed
  14. West Indian Med J. 2003 Jun;52(2):127-30 - PubMed
  15. West Indian Med J. 2008 Mar;57(2):79-80 - PubMed
  16. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2004;13(2):93-121 - PubMed

Publication Types