Seasonality and time patterns in attempted suicide in Ilam province of Iran: An appraisal of current data of 2010 -2014

Abstract

Background: Seasonality in suicide has been investigated from the early 19th century to explore the productive environmental variables. Seasonality studies can provide information on prevention and interventions in suicide. In this study, we examined seasonality in suicide and aimed to explore the differences in seasonality between rural and urban areas, mental disorders, and genders. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, overall identified suicide cases in Ilam province from 21 March 2010 and 11 December 2014 were identified, using systematic registration suicide data (SRSD). Two methods were used separately to analyze seasonality (Chisquare, Edwards' T). Seasonal effect (peak/ trough seasons) and (deaths/ attempts suicide) was explored by ratio statistics. The null hypothesis was that the completed suicides in each method group were evenly distributed over a year. Results: Significant seasonality was observed in suicide during the study period, with one peak in the spring and one in the winter. Our results showed that suicide seasonality following mental disorders was statistically significant with a peak in the spring, regardless of other factors such as gender and age. When all non- mental suicides are taken into account, the seasonality remains statistically significant, but the peak season is shifted to autumn. Conclusion: Investigating suicide in Ilam revealed a significant seasonality for both rural and urban areas, which was greater in the urban part. A significant seasonality in suicide was observed in attempters with mental disorders. In suicide attempters with mental disorders, findings showed two peaks in the spring and the autumn.

Time series analysis of suicide from a monthly perspective in the south of Brazil: an ecological study

“…In contrast, for people over 65 years old, clear asymmetry was observed in both genders, with a higher number of deaths in spring. In Iran, Veisani et al 21 described urban suicide rates with significant seasonal variations, with a peak in the spring and a trough in the winter. Seasonal differences were observed in all ages and both genders.…”

“…Except for the trend for women to have a low rate in January, these findings are similar to and coherent with existing literature. 10 , 21 , 23 …”

Time series analysis of monthly suicide rates in West of Iran, 2006–2013

“…[ 27 ] Other studies that examined suicide seasonality pattern in Ilam province showed that significant suicide seasonality was observed with one peak in the spring and one in the autumn. [ 28 29 ] Furthermore, another study reported the relationship between completed suicide and seasons of the year in south of Iran. [ 30 ] In Italy, Preti and Lentini[ 31 ] fitted the exponentially smoothing state-space model to monthly number of suicides from 1969 to 2003 and found significant trend and seasonality in the suicide data.…”

Prediction of suicidal ideations based on socioeconomic status and mental health among University of Tabriz students

“…9 Family and economic problems, academic failure, marital discords, and romantic relationships between the youth could play a pivotal role in the development of suicidal thoughts. 10,11 More than 40000 people in the world commit suicide annually, but it seems that this number does not include all the cases and due to the prevailing social, cultural, and religious attitudes in the countries, a high percentage of suicides are not reported. 8 Thus, suicide is a superior subject in mental health for the World Health Organization (WHO), and this priority is felt more in particular community groups due to their special conditions.…”