Characteristics of Black and White suicide decedents in Fulton County, Georgia 1988-2002

K. Abe, K.J. Mertz, K.E. Powell and R.L. Hanzlick

American Journal of Public Health, 2006, vol. 96, issue 10, 1794-1798

Abstract: Objectives. We compared the prevalence of risk factors for Black and White suicide decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, from 1988-2002. Methods. We used data from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office to compile information on suicides that occurred in Fulton County between 1988 and 2002. We used the χ2 test and logistic regression to identify associations between suicide risk factors and race. Results. Black suicide decedents were more likely than White suicide decedents to be male (odds ratio [OR] = 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38, 3.09), to be younger, (≤24 y [OR = 4.74; 95% CI = 2.88, 7.81]; 25-34 y [OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.74, 4.47]; 35-44 y [OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.13, 3.07]), and to hurt others in a suicide (OR = 4.22; 95% CI = 1.60, 11.15) but less likely to report depression (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.48, 0.83), to have a family history of suicide (OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.61), or to leave a suicide note (OR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.26, 0.52). Conclusions. Future research should consider that Black suicide decedents are less likely to report depression than White suicide decedents. This suicide risk difference is important when developing effective suicide prevention programs.

Date: 2006
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2005.082131_3

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.082131

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