Suicide Mortality Rates Between 1997-1998 and 2000-2001 in Nantou County of Taiwan Following the Earthquake of September 21 in 1999

• NCJ Number: 222168
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2008 Pages: 199-202
• Author(s): Yung-Po Liaw Ph.D.; Po-Wen Wang B.S.; Chiu-Chin Huang Ph.D.; Chia-Ming Chang M.D.; Wen-Chung Lee Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2008
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study shows the different suicide mortality rates between 1997-1998 and 2000-2001 in Nantou County of Taiwan, which constitute periods before and after the earthquake on September 21, 1999, and prevention strategies are proposed for populations at high risk for suicide.

Abstract

This study, an ecological study, shows that the suicide mortality rate increased by age after the earthquake. Further, the data show that the suicide mortality rate of men between the ages of 45 and 64 was significantly higher than in other age groups after the earthquake, especially in the townships that suffered the most earthquake damage. The possible explanation for this is that 45-64 years old is the age group responsible for family financial support, and they became unemployed because of the earthquake. This study suggests monitoring high-risk populations, especially males 45 to 64 years old, when disasters of any type render them suddenly and unexpectedly unemployed. Suggestions for the content of suicide prevention programs in such situations include a counseling component designed to restore confidence in the future through various constructive coping mechanisms, along with financial support for the unemployed. The study used the damage reports from the earthquake recorded by the Taiwan Department of Interior's National Fire Agency, health statistics, and demographic information in analyzing the suicide mortality rate before and after the earthquake. Data obtained from the death certificates of suicide victims before and after the earthquake included age, gender, residency, and causes of death. Suicide deaths were identified by an International Statistical Classification of Disease, Injuries, and Causes of Death. Researchers applied the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) to compare suicide morality rates among Nantou townships. In order to calculate the SMRs, age categories were divided into 18 age groups. The 18 age-specific rates of each town-group served as the standard rates when computing the SMR for townships. 5 tables, 5 figures, and 18 references