Characteristics of Black and White Suicide Decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, 1988-2002

Overview

Journal Am J Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 2008 Sep 24

PMID 18687597

Citations 1

Authors

Karon Abe

Kristen J Mertz

Kenneth E Powell

Randy L Hanzlick

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: We compared the prevalence of risk factors for Black and White suicide decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, from 1988-2002.

Methods: We used data from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office to compile information on suicides that occurred in Fulton County between 1988 and 2002. We used the chi(2) test and logistic regression to identify associations between suicide risk factors and race.

Results: Black suicide decedents were more likely than White suicide decedents to be male (odds ratio [OR]=2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.38, 3.09), to be younger, (>or=24 y [OR = 4.74; 95% CI = 2.88, 7.81]; 25-34 y [OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.74, 4.47]; 35-44 y [OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.13, 3.07]), and to hurt others in a suicide (OR = 4.22; 95% CI = 1.60, 11.15) but less likely to report depression (OR=0.63; 95% CI=0.48, 0.83), to have a family history of suicide (OR=0.08; 95% CI=0.01, 0.61), or to leave a suicide note (OR=0.37; 95% CI=0.26, 0.52).

Conclusions: Future research should consider that Black suicide decedents are less likely to report depression than White suicide decedents. This suicide risk difference is important when developing effective suicide prevention programs.

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