Suicide in Cyprus 1988–1999

Abstract

AbstractSuicide is a universally observed human behavior related to bio-psychological, social and cultural factors. The aim of the present study was to examine suicide in Cyprus, an island that has known many civilizations and cultures. All completed suicide cases in the Christian population of Cyprus during the years 1988–1999 were included in the study and they were analyzed according to age, gender, reported reasons for suicide and suicide methods. The main results indicate that: 1. The mean age-standardized suicide rate is the lowest in Europe, in males (3.08/100,000) and also in females (1.05/100,000). 2. Mean suicide rates increase significantly with age in males only. 3. Female suicide rates are highest in the 15–24 age group. 4. Statistically significant rising trends of male and female suicide rates in the all-ages group. 5. Suicide methods were mostly violent. Among males, the most common methods were poisoning, firearms-explosives, and hanging, while in females, jumping, hanging and poisoning. 6. Mental disorders, physical illness, interpersonal and financial problems were the main reported reasons for suicide. The epidemiological characteristics of suicide in Cyprus might be attributed to a combined effect of social and cultural factors and probably reflect influences from countries to which Cyprus is ethnically, historically or geographically related.