scholarly journals Suicidal Behavior in the Mediterranean Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Mehmet Eskin
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
World Average ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Arab Muslim ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean

Introduction: Suicidal behavior is a serious public health problem worldwide and shows large intersocietal variation. This study aimed at comparatively investigating the aspects of suicidal behavior in 22 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Methods: The study was conducted with official data retrieved from several sources. The suicidal mortality data were collected from World Health Organization’s data repository. Descriptive statistics, group comparison, correlational and regression statistical analyses were used to summarize the data. Results: The average age standardized suicide rates in the Mediterranean countries are lower than the world average. Except in Morocco, more men kill themselves than women. Suicide rates are lower in Mediterranean Muslim than in Mediterranean Christian countries. Slovenia, France and Croatia have the highest suicide mortality rates. Greatest percentages of suicidal ideation are seen in Croatia, Turkey and Slovenia and the greatest percentages of suicidal attempts are seen in Palestine, Cyprus, Greece and Slovenia. According to the results of the multiple regression analyses, the coefficient of human inequality index was associated with lower both-sex and male suicide rates. Greater percentages of people saying religion is unimportant in daily life in a country were found to be related to higher female suicide rates. Conclusion: The findings from the study have shown that the prevalence of suicidal deaths, thoughts and attempts vary between the Mediterranean countries. Lower suicide rates are observed in the Muslim Mediterranean nations than in the Judeo-Christian ones. However, the rates of suicide mortality in non-Arab Muslim nations being comparable to the rates in non-Muslim countries confirm the concerns over mis/underreporting of suicidal behavior in Arab Muslim countries due to religio-cultural stigma attached to suicide. The average suicidal mortality rates are lower in Mediterranean countries than the world average. Generally, more men than women kill themselves. Results from the multivariate analysis revealed that as the level of human inequality increases the rates for both-sex and male suicidal mortality decreases. Religion seem to be protective against female suicides. The study has also shown that more research is needed about suicidal behavior in the Mediterranean countries.

Employment and suicidal rates during economic recession: A country-targeted integrative review

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402096974
Author(s):  
Apostolos Kamekis ◽  
George Rachiotis ◽  
Adelais Markaki ◽  
Vasiliki Samara ◽  
Emmanouil K. Symvoulakis
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Greek Language ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Recession Period

Background: The economic crisis’ effects on suicide rates for countries undergoing or exiting austerity measures have been widely debated. This integrative review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesize available evidence of employment status effect on suicide mortality rates in Greece during the recent economic recession period. Methods: A literature review of studies evaluating suicides in the general Greek population, as well as across age and gender groups, in relation to employment during the economic crisis period was performed. PubMed electronic database was searched for relevant articles published in English or Greek language from 2009 up to February 2020. Appraisal was carried out based on the Hierarchy of Evidence Rating System and the GRADE guidelines. Results: A total of 24 articles met all inclusion criteria with 20 of them at level IV, 2 at level VII, and 2 at level VIII. A total of 18 studies reported increase of suicide rates during the economic recession period. About 12 studies examined the co-relation between unemployment and suicide rate, with ten studies showing a positive correlation. Moreover, thirteen studies reported data on the effect of gender and age variables on suicide rates. Conclusion: Evidence shows that suicide mortality rates in Greece increased after the eruption of economic recession, particularly after the implementation of radical austerity measures (2011–2014). This increase was positively correlated with unemployment and was more prominent among males of working age. Further in depth epidemiological research of regional variations in terms of profile and contributing or enabling factors of suicidal behavior is needed.

scholarly journals Sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method in 58 countries between 2000 and 2015

2020 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2019-043601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Wu ◽  
David C Schwebel ◽  
Yun Huang ◽  
Peishan Ning ◽  
Peixia Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Suicide Method ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Binomial Models ◽  
Country Specific

ObjectiveTo examine recent changes in sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method across countries.MethodsUsing mortality data from the WHO mortality database, we compared sex-specific, age-specific and country-specific suicide mortality by method between 2000 and 2015. We considered seven major suicide methods: poisoning by pesticides, all other poisoning, firearms and explosives, hanging, jumping from height, drowning and other methods. Changes in suicide mortality were quantified using negative binomial models among three age groups (15–44 years, 45–64 years, and 65 years and above) for males and females separately.ResultsSuicide mortality declined substantially for both sexes and all three age groups studied in 37 of the 58 included countries between 2000 and 2015. Males consistently had much higher suicide mortality rates than females in all 58 countries. Hanging was the most common suicide method in the majority of 58 countries. Sex-specific suicide mortality varied across 58 countries significantly for all three age groups. The spectrum of suicide method generally remained stable for 28 of 58 included countries; notable changes occurred in the other 30 countries, including especially Colombia, Finland and Trinidad and Tobago.ConclusionLikely as a result of prevention efforts as well as sociodemographic changes, suicide mortality decreased substantially in 37 of the included 58 countries between 2000 and 2015. Further actions are needed to explore specific drivers of the recent changes (particularly for increases in eight countries), to understand substantial disparities in suicide rates across countries, and to develop interventions to reduce suicide rates globally.

scholarly journals Suicide Mortality in the Americas. Regional Report 2010–2014

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
North America ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Hispanic Caribbean

Suicide is a serious public health problem surrounded by stigma, myths, and taboos. With an annual average of 81,746 suicide deaths in the period 2010–2014 and an age-adjusted suicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 population (age-unadjusted rate of 9.6), suicide continues to be a public health problem of great relevance in the Region of the Americas. Contrary to common belief, suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based, and often low-cost interventions. It is estimated that for each suicide that occurs, there are more than 20 attempts. Suicide can occur at any age and it is the third highest cause of death among young people between the ages of 20 and 24 in the Region of the Americas. This report corresponds to the five-year period between 2010 and 2014. It provides a general description of suicide mortality in the Americas, by subregions and countries. It analyzes the distribution of suicide according to age, sex, and methods used, along with the changes in suicide from 2010 to 2014. This report is limited to the study of mortality as, in most countries, no record of self-harm exists, due to lack of appropriate surveillance systems. In the period 2010–2014, 55.8% of suicide deaths in the Region occurred in North America. The age-adjusted suicide rate was also highest in North America (12.8 per 100,000 population), which along with the non-Hispanic Caribbean (9.8) was higher than the regional rate, while the other two subregions had rates lower than the regional rate (6.7 in Central America, the Hispanic Caribbean, and Mexico; 6.9 in South America). In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is essential that national suicide prevention programs be developed, especially in those countries with higher suicide rates. This report identifies 12 countries in the Region of the Americas with high suicide rates compared with the regional average and where two-thirds of the suicide deaths are concentrated. Strengthening information systems and surveillance of suicidal behavior is required. Improving mortality registries alone is not enough. It is also necessary to develop registries of suicidal behavior and implement follow-up mechanisms in high-risk cases. This report identifies the most frequent suicide methods. The availability of firearms is an important risk factor, particularly in North America. Access to pesticides in rural areas is another risk factor, especially in the non-Hispanic

scholarly journals Is suicide underreported? Evidence from Japan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Matsubayashi ◽  
Michiko Ueda
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Socioeconomic Indicators ◽  
Systematic Relationship ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Divorce Rates

Abstract Purpose The underreporting of suicides has been a serious global concern among scholars and policymakers. Several studies have sought to detect the prevalence of underreporting by examining whether suicide mortality rates are negatively correlated with those due to unknown intent or causes. This study adds to the literature by examining the potential underreporting of suicides in Japan, where suicide rates have greatly declined in the recent years. Methods We compiled subnational data from 47 prefectures between 1995 and 2016, obtained from Vital Statistics of Japan. We examined whether (1) mortality rates due to unknown intent or causes increased as suicide rates decreased; and (2) major socioeconomic causes of suicide (unemployment and divorce rates) had any relationship with the deaths due to unknown intent or causes. Results Our analysis indicates that mortality rates due to unknown intent or causes were uncorrelated with suicide rates and the above socioeconomic indicators. Conclusions In Japan, the frequency of suicides has no systematic relationship with deaths due to unknown intent or causes, suggesting the accuracy of suicide statistics.

scholarly journals The Mediterranean Diet and the Increasing Demand of the Olive Oil Sector: Shifts and Environmental Consequences

REGION ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Neves ◽  
Iva Miranda Pires
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Slow Food ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Oil Sector ◽  
Increasing Demand

Mediterranean countries play a crucial role as olive oil producers and consumers compared to other world regions. This work focusses on the development of the world production, trade and consumption where the Mediterranean region stands out from the rest of the world, in particular, the Northern Mediterranean countries. Aspects such as how communication emphasizes the benefits of the Mediterranean diet - which is a distinctive characteristic of the Mediterranean culture and identity - the Slow Food Movement, the International Olive Council campaigns, and the successive Common Agricultural Policies, that have triggered production, trade and consumption around the world, are here discussed. Such increases and stimuli brought and is still bringing changes to the olive oil sector such as a shifting tendency in production modes as well as modernization of the sector, responding to the increasing demand. These shifts and demand are changing landscapes and are being referred as environmentally harmful to the ecosystems as the production of olive oil is shifting to more intensive production systems and monoculture plantations. These issues are here debated and illustrated with case study examples, referring to the Mediterranean countries, particularly, referring to the Iberian Peninsula.

Trends and Most Frequent Methods of Suicide in Chile Between 2001 and 2010

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Bustamante ◽  
Valeria Ramirez ◽  
Cinthya Urquidi ◽  
Vicente Bustos ◽  
Zimri Yaseen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Temporal Study ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
Urban Rural

Abstract. Background: Despite the many studies trying to evaluate the magnitude of suicide in Chile, none of them include the new valid data, recently published by the DEIS of the Chilean Health Ministry. Aim: This paper sought to describe how suicide rates changed among Chileans who were at least 15 years of age during the period of 2001–2010; these rates were stratified by sex, age, urban/rural status, and region of the country. Method: An exploratory and temporal study was conducted. Suicide mortality rates were calculated by collecting information from the Chilean Ministry of Health’s death registry between 2001 and 2010 among subjects who were at least 15 years of age. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were computed. Results: The standardized suicide rate in Chile during 2001–2010 was 14.7 deaths per 100,000, the highest in South America. The minimum age-adjusted suicide rate observed during the examined period was 13.49 per 100,000 in 2005, and the maximum, 16.67 per 100,000 in 2008. Suicide rates among men were up to 4.8 times the suicide rates among women. In addition, rates in rural areas were double compared with urban areas. Hanging was the most common suicide method, followed by use of firearms and explosives in men and poisoning in women. Finally, there was a progressive increase in suicide rates in the southernmost regions of the country. Conclusion: Suicide rates in Chile are relatively high among male subjects in rural areas. There is a disturbing increase in suicide rates among younger individuals and women, although these rates remain lower among younger individuals and women than among adults in general.

Demographic and epidemiological decomposition analysis of global changes in suicide rates and numbers over the period 1990–2019

2021 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2021-044263
Author(s):  
Paul Siu Fai Yip ◽  
Yan Zheng ◽  
Clifford Wong
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Income Level ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Population Age Structure ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The World

BackgroundSuicide presents an ongoing public health challenge internationally. Nearly 800 000 people around the world lose their life to suicide every year, and many more attempt suicide.MethodsA decomposition analysis was performed using global suicide mortality and population data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.ResultsDespite a significant decrease in age-specific suicide rate between 1990 and 2019 (-4.01; from 13.8% to 9.8% per 100 000), the overall numbers of suicide deaths increased by 19 897 (from 738 799 to 758 696) in the same time period. The reductions in age-specific suicide rates (−6.09; 152%) contributed to the overall reductions in suicide rates; however, this was offset by overtime changes in population age structure (2.08; −52%). The increase in suicide numbers was partly attributable to population growth (300 942; 1512.5%) and population age structure (189 512; 952.4%), which was attenuated by the significant reduction in overall suicide rates (−470 556; 2364.9%). The combined effect of these factors varied across the World Bank income level regions. For example, in the upper-middle-income level region, the effect of the reduction in age-specific suicide rates (−289 731; −1456.1%) exceeded the effect of population age structure (124 577; 626.1%) and population growth (83 855; 421.4%), resulting in its substantial decline in total suicide deaths (−81 298; −408.6%). However, in lower-middle income region, there was a notable increase in suicide death (72 550; 364.6%), which was related to the net gain of the reduction in age-specific suicide rates (-115 577; -580.9%) and negated by the increase in the number of suicide deaths due to population growth (152 093; 764.4%) and population age structure (36 034; 181.1%).ConclusionMore support and resources should be deployed for suicide prevention to the low-income and middle-income regions in order to achieve the reduction goal. Moreover, suicide prevention among older adults is increasingly critical given the world’s rapidly ageing populations in all income level regions.

scholarly journals Association between naturally occurring lithium in drinking water and suicide rates: systematic review and meta-analysis of ecological studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 217 (6) ◽  
pp. 667-678
Author(s):  
Anjum Memon ◽  
Imogen Rogers ◽  
Sophie M. D. D. Fitzsimmons ◽  
Ben Carter ◽  
Rebecca Strawbridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Naturally Occurring

BackgroundThe prevalence of mental health conditions and national suicide rates are increasing in many countries. Lithium is widely and effectively used in pharmacological doses for the treatment and prevention of manic/depressive episodes, stabilising mood and reducing the risk of suicide. Since the 1990s, several ecological studies have tested the hypothesis that trace doses of naturally occurring lithium in drinking water may have a protective effect against suicide in the general population.AimsTo synthesise the global evidence on the association between lithium levels in drinking water and suicide mortality rates.MethodThe MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify eligible ecological studies published between 1 January 1946 and 10 September 2018. Standardised regression coefficients for total (i.e. both genders combined), male and female suicide mortality rates were extracted and pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016041375).ResultsThe literature search identified 415 articles; of these, 15 ecological studies were included in the synthesis. The random-effects meta-analysis showed a consistent protective (or inverse) association between lithium levels/concentration in publicly available drinking water and total (pooled β = −0.27, 95% CI −0.47 to −0.08; P = 0.006, I2 = 83.3%), male (pooled β = −0.26, 95% CI −0.56 to 0.03; P = 0.08, I2 = 91.9%) and female (pooled β = −0.13, 95% CI −0.24 to −0.02; P = 0.03, I2 = 28.5%) suicide mortality rates. A similar protective association was observed in the six studies included in the narrative synthesis, and subgroup meta-analyses based on the higher/lower suicide mortality rates and lithium levels/concentration.ConclusionsThis synthesis of ecological studies, which are subject to the ecological fallacy/bias, supports the hypothesis that there is a protective (or inverse) association between lithium intakes from public drinking water and suicide mortality at the population level. Naturally occurring lithium in drinking water may have the potential to reduce the risk of suicide and may possibly help in mood stabilisation, particularly in populations with relatively high suicide rates and geographical areas with a greater range of lithium concentration in the drinking water. All the available evidence suggests that randomised community trials of lithium supplementation of the water supply might be a means of testing the hypothesis, particularly in communities (or settings) with demonstrated high prevalence of mental health conditions, violent criminal behaviour, chronic substance misuse and risk of suicide.

scholarly journals Médina

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Architectural Heritage ◽  
Direct Experience ◽  
Cultural Importance ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Arab Muslim ◽  
City Design ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Over Time

Dedicated to the medina in the Mediterranean space, this book is essentially based on detailed historical and photographic research into the characteristics of city design and its evolution, as well as some case studies from direct experience. The main objective of the present study consists of its documentary and evocative value, without forgetting the analysis of the multiple architectural spaces with monumental complexes of extraordinary cultural importance arranged according to precise hierarchies and specific uses. The research summarises the different experiences from this immense Arab-Muslim architectural heritage and its urban evolution. These aspects are expressed both by the large number of case studies (from Cordoba to Palermo, passing through Fez, Séfrou, Marrakech and Tunis) as well as by the quality of the built spaces as a whole. The several contributions show an urban framework that is still legible and significant, consisting of grids of houses with forms, structures and functions that show a concentration of spaces, places and monuments stratified over time and developed in the Mediterranean countries, producing extremely diverse situations.

scholarly journals Worldwide variation of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, in 1961–1965 and 2000–2003

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1676-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui da Silva ◽  
Anna Bach-Faig ◽  
Blanca Raidó Quintana ◽  
Genevieve Buckland ◽  
Maria Daniel Vaz de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mediterranean Country ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
European Group

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to analyse the worldwide trends of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), in 1961–1965 and 2000–2003.DesignData were obtained from the FAO food balance sheets in two periods: 1961–1965 and 2000–2003. In order to have a sample from across the world, forty-one countries were selected. The average of available energy for different food groups was calculated for all selected countries. These values were used to evaluate the adherence to the MD through a variation of Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI).ResultsThe majority of the forty-one countries in this study have tended to drift away from a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern. Mediterranean Europe and the Other Mediterranean country groups suffered a significant decrease in their MAI values. The Mediterranean European group, especially Greece, experienced the greatest decrease in MAI value.In both periods, the Other Mediterranean countries showed the highest MAI values. In an analysis by countries, Iran had the highest increase in MAI across the time periods, and Egypt occupied the first place in the ranking in 2000–2003.The Northern European group was the only one that registered an increase in MAI, although this was not statistically significant.ConclusionsMany countries in the Mediterranean basin are drifting away from the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP). However, countries in Northern Europe and some other countries around the world are taking on a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern. The Other Mediterranean countries have the closest adherence to the MDP, currently and in the 1960s. Nutrition policy actions to tackle dietary westernisation and preserve the healthy prudent MDP are required.

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