Spatial clusters of suicide in Australia

Xin, Qi; Hu, Wenbiao; Page, Andrew; Tong, Shilu

doi:10.1186/1471-244x-12-86

Cited by 42 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Areas with a higher risk of suicide also often have a lower socioeconomic status, along with a higher proportion of indigenous population 14. Our previous study indicated that MTS in QLD and BM in the north of NT showed a much higher suicide risk, proportion of indigenous population and lower socioeconomic status than did the national average, and both were indicated as high-risk clusters using spatial cluster analysis (1999–2003) 14. Suicide by hanging has also increased in indigenous communities, similar to other areas and population groups 38…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, it is vital to understand the variations of suicide patterns over time, space, population groups (age, sex and ethnic groups) and the possible reasons for these variations, in order to design effective suicide control and prevention programmes. Previous reports and studies have explored suicide patterns in Australia over time,9–12 methods13 and space 14. From a geographical perspective, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) suicide reports covered a long period (1921–2010) presented at the state and capital city level 9–11.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dynamic pattern of suicide in Australia, 1986–2005: a descriptive-analytic study

2014

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ObjectiveThis study explores the spatiotemporal variations of suicide across Australia from 1986 to 2005, discusses the reasons for dynamic changes, and considers future suicide research and prevention strategies.DesignSuicide (1986–2005) and population data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A series of analyses were conducted to examine the suicide pattern by sex, method and age group over time and geography.ResultsDifferences in suicide rates across sex, age groups and suicide methods were found across geographical areas. Male suicides were mainly completed by hanging, firearms, gases and self-poisoning. Female suicides were primarily completed by hanging and self-poisoning. Suicide rates were higher in rural areas than in urban areas (capital cities and regional centres). Suicide rates by firearms were higher in rural areas than in urban areas, while the pattern for self-poisoning showed the reverse trend. Suicide rates had relatively stable trend for the total population and those aged between 15 and 54, while suicide decreased among 55 years and over during the study period. There was a decrease in suicides by firearms during the study period especially after 1996 when a new firearm control law was implemented, while suicide by hanging continued to increase. Areas with a high proportion of indigenous population (eg, northwest of Queensland and top north of the Northern Territory) had shown a substantial increase in suicide incidence after 1995.ConclusionsSuicide rates varied over time and space and across sexes, age groups and suicide methods. This study provides detailed patterns of suicide to inform suicide control and prevention strategies for specific subgroups and areas of high and increased risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic pattern of suicide in Australia, 1986–2005: a descriptive-analytic study

2014

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“…We then used these values for the spatial cluster detection. A circular shape was chosen as the shape of the spatial scan window because this is typically used to detect suicide clusters [8, 9]. This circular window was gradually moved on each centroid point of geographical locations, with each circle reflecting a possible cluster.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Qi and colleagues examined spatial suicide clusters in Australia during the period 1999 and 2003 [8]. They found 13 clusters, which included 12 clusters in males and one cluster in females.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial suicide clusters in Australia between 2010 and 2012: a comparison of cluster and non-cluster among young people and adults

et al. 2016

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BackgroundA suicide cluster has been defined as a group of suicides that occur closer together in time and space than would normally be expected. We aimed to examine the extent to which suicide clusters exist among young people and adults in Australia and to determine whether differences exist between cluster and non-cluster suicides.MethodsSuicide data were obtained from the National Coronial Information System for the period 2010 and 2012. Data on date of death, postcode, age at the time of death, sex, suicide method, ICD-10 code for cause of death, marital status, employment status, and aboriginality were retrieved. We examined the presence of spatial clusters separately for youth suicides and adult suicides using the Scan statistic. Pearson’s chi-square was used to compare the characteristics of cluster suicides with non-cluster suicides.ResultsWe identified 12 spatial clusters between 2010 and 2012. Five occurred among young people (n = 53, representing 5.6% [53/940] of youth suicides) and seven occurred among adults (n = 137, representing 2.3% [137/5939] of adult suicides). Clusters ranged in size from three to 21 for youth and from three to 31 for adults. When compared to adults, suicides by young people were significantly more likely to occur as part of a cluster (difference = 3.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8 to 4.8, p < 0.0001). Suicides by people with an Indigenous background were also significantly more likely to occur in a cluster than suicide by non-Indigenous people and this was the case among both young people and adults.ConclusionsSuicide clusters have a significant negative impact on the communities in which they occur. As a result it is important to find effective ways of managing and containing suicide clusters. To date there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of those strategies typically employed, in particular in Indigenous settings, and developing this evidence base needs to be a future priority. Future research that examines in more depth the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with suicide clusters is also warranted in order that appropriate interventions can be developed.

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“…It considered both individual and neighbourhood factors associated with the odds of a railway suicide occurring in a cluster. We used a specific spatial parameter size based on the maximum incidence rate rather than using the default value (50%) usually used in the previous studies 15 41. This seems to provide a more precise detection of clusters (cross-checked by visualising local railway suicide rates).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Railway suicide clusters: how common are they and what predicts them?

et al. 2016

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Railway suicides that occur in clusters warrant particular attention because of the ripple effect they can have for communities and the risk that they may lead to copycat acts. Railway suicide prevention strategies should consider the fact that these suicides can occur in clusters, particularly among individuals who had previous hospitalisations for mental illness or live in areas with high-frequency train services.

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Spatial clusters of suicide in Australia

Cited by 42 publications

References 43 publications

Dynamic pattern of suicide in Australia, 1986–2005: a descriptive-analytic study

Dynamic pattern of suicide in Australia, 1986–2005: a descriptive-analytic study

Spatial suicide clusters in Australia between 2010 and 2012: a comparison of cluster and non-cluster among young people and adults

Railway suicide clusters: how common are they and what predicts them?

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