Article
Deprivation and suicide mortality in Germany
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Authors
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Matthias Belau
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| Published: | September 6, 2024 |
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Outline
Text
Background: Regional deprivation may increase the risk of suicide. It was investigated whether regional deprivation in Germany is associated with suicide mortality.
Methods: Data from cause of death statistics (2015 to 2021) were analyzed. Regression analysis for data with negative binomial distribution was used to examine the association between the German Index of Multiple Deprivation 2015, covering 401 districts and district-free cities in Germany, and suicide mortality.
Results: The adjusted rate ratio for suicide in the most deprived deprivation area compared to the least deprived area was 1.185 (95% CI [1.72, 2.00]). A sensitivity analysis shows similar rate ratios for men (1.99 (95% CI [1.80, 2.18])) and women (1.69 (95% CI [1.49, 1.92])), but a higher rate ratio for rural areas (2.29 (95% CI [2.04, 2.57])) compared with urban areas (1.51 (95% CI [1.36, 1.68])).
Conclusions: The results show an association between regional deprivation and suicide mortality, and call for a more targeted approach to suicide prevention in deprived regions.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
The authors declare that an ethics committee vote is not required.
