On suicide of the elderly and young in Vojvodina

Abstract

With approximately 20 suicides per 100.000 inhabitants, Serbia is placed in the upper half of all European countries based on the suicide rate. There are differences between Central Serbia and Vojvodina, which are more pronounced than the existing differences in overall mortality. Although these differences are becoming smaller, they are still present and related to the age structure and ethnic composition of the population, as well as religious affiliation and sociocultural factors present in these two regions. According to data for 2008, the suicide rate in Vojvodina was 23,4 per 100.000. The paper focuses on the analysis of data on mortality due to suicide of two vulnerable age groups, youth aged 15-24 and the elderly over 65 years of age, in the last four decades (1966-2008). In the youth group, differences by age and sex are observed, with a focus on prevention, while in the elderly group there was also a focus on differences in marital status, ethnicity and education. .