Weekly Variation of Deaths by Intentional Self-harm by Hanging, Strangulation and Suffocation in Korea, 2010-15

Abstract

The objective of the study was to analyze the weekly variation of deaths from intentional self-harm by hanging, strangulation and suffocation (HSS: KCD-6 code, X70). Methods: There were 44,794 HSS deaths from the death certificate data (2010-15) of Korea Statistics. For analyzing weekly pattern of HSS deaths, we used the average number of daily HSS deaths and the index of death occurrence (IDO). IDO was calculated as a ratio of the average number of HSS deaths per day of the week to the average number of HSS deaths per day during 6 years. Results: Through 2010-15, the HSS death rate (per 100,000) decreased from 22.1 to 16.3. The HSS death rate was 27.0 in male and 11.1 in female. The HSS death rate by age was 13.0 in aged 20-39 years, 19.4 in aged 40-59 years, and 28.6 in aged 60 years and older. The average number of HSS deaths per day was 20.4 deaths during the period. The daily average of HSS deaths was lower at weekends and holidays than that of weekdays, they have become more concentrated on Monday. On Saturday (17.9 deaths, IDO: 88), the number of HSS death per day was the lowest, and Monday (23.4 deaths, IDO: 115) was the highest. The daily HSS deaths was less likely to occur on holidays (18.0 deaths, IDO: 88). In both gender, all age group and all seasons, the pattern of daily HSS deaths were more prevalent on Monday and were less likely to occur on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. The variations of daily HSS deaths in consecutive holidays (lunar new year's day and Korean thanksgiving day) showed wide fluctuation from a trough deaths (a holiday) to a peak deaths (after a holiday). The daily HSS deaths 4 days after a holiday increased I.5 times in both gender as compared with daily HSS deaths of a holiday. The daily HSS deaths during 4 days after a holiday increased 1.4 times in aged 40-59 years, and 1.9 times in aged 60 years and older than that of a holiday. Conclusions: The daily HSS deaths were more prevalent on Monday and were less likely to occur on Saturday and public holidays. The daily HSS deaths among aged 40-59 and ≥ 60 years increased in the week after consecutive holidays.

Monday peak is unique to suicide? Comparison of weekly distribution by causes of death using national representative cohort database

“…If differences in weekly distribution of suicide by means were identified, it would be helpful for establishing suicide prevention strategies and understanding plausible mechanism. A few studies investigated the uneven weekly distribution of suicide by certain means (Erazo et al, 2004; Lim & Park, 2018). However, there has been no systematic comparison of weekly distribution of suicide deaths by means, because deaths by certain methods occur very infrequently.…”