Suicide mortality analysis in adolescents aged 10-24 years in Hubei, 2019

  Objective   To analyze the suicide mortality in adolescents aged 10–24 years in Hubei province in 2019 and provide evidence for the development of targeted prevention and control measures.

  Methods   Suicide death data in adolescents aged 10–24 years in Hubei in 2019 were collected from the death cause surveillance system of Hubei. Software SAS was used for data cleaning and statistical analysis. Gender and area specific comparisons, nonparametric test for mean age comparison and χ² test for suicide mortality rates were performed. Standardized mortality rate (SMR) for China and World were calculated respectively by using the 2010 national census data and the new standard world population data from WHO. ArcGis10.6 was applied for spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial distribution presentation.

  Results   Injury was the first leading cause of death in adolescents n Hubei in 2019, accounting for 52% of all deaths. For injury deaths, suicide ranked second in 10–14, 15–19 years old adolescents and first in 20–24 years old adolescents, all accounting for over 10% of injury deaths for each age group. In Hubei, the suicide mortality rate, China SMR and World SMR were 3.33/100 000, 3.40/100 000, 3.26/100 000, respectively in adolescents; 3.38/100 000, 3.40/100 000, 3.31/100 000 in urban adolescents and3.28, 3.38, 3.21/100 000 in rural adolescents. No gender differences were found except in adolescents aged 20–24 years, in whom males had higher suicide mortality rate than females (χ²=16.190, P<0.001). No differences were found in mortality rate of suicide between urban adolescents and rural adolescents (P>0.05). The main suicide methods were jumping from a high place, other substance poisoning, drowning, hang oneself and pesticide poisoning. Adolescent suicide deaths occurred randomly in counties/cities in Hubei without spatial autocorrelations.

  Conclusion   No obvious gender and area specific differences in suicide mortality were found in adolescents in Hubei, and no spatial autocorrelations were found. Comprehensive prevention and control measures should be taken to reduce suicide mortality in adolescents in Hubei.