Trends in Suicide Methods in Korea; 1997-1999 and 2017-2019

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine trend of the gender and age death rate of intentional self-harm in Korea 1997-1999 and 2017-2019. The analysis was based on data of intentional self-harm deaths from the 1997-1999 (21,937 deaths) and 2017-2019 (39,920 deaths) vital statistics of Korea.Methods: We are analyzed annual data from 1997-1999 and 2017-2019 for Korea in order to examine trends in the rates and methods of suicide. Data on suicide methods were obtained from the death certificate data (1997-1999 and 2017-2019) of Korea Statistics.Results: The common methods in 1997-1999 were hanging (37.6%), poisoning (37.2%), and jumping (9.5%). In 2017-2019, hanging (51.9%) has surpassed poisoning (26.2%) as the most often used method. The preferred suicide methods were hanging and poisoning in Korea. Through 2003-2011, the suicide rate (per 100,000 population) increased from 26.0 to 40.7 in male and increased from 10.7 to 16.2 in female, There was a decline in rates of poisoning and drowning in both gender but an increase in hanging and jumping by both gender during the period. Age specific suicide rate increased with advanced age in both gender. The odds (2017-2019) were greater than the odds (1997-1999) in both gender.Conclusions: All age suicide rates of hanging increased in both gender. there was decline in age specific rate of poisoning in both gender.