Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador: A linkage study using medical examiner and vital statistics data

Abstract

Objective: To examine suicide epidemiology in Newfoundland and Labrador from 1997 to 2001. Method: Data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (CME) were linked with data derived from the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess variation of rates. We used the chi-square test to compare categorical data. Results: The CME recorded 225 suicide deaths, compared with 187 in the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database. Most deaths not coded as suicide in the national database were coded as accidental. Using the CME data, the overall suicide rate was 9.5/100 000, aged 10 years and older. The rate among males (15.8/100 000, 95%CI, 10.7 to 20.8) was almost 5 times that of females (3.3/100 000; 95%CI, 1.0 to 5.5). Age-standardized rates decreased over the study period, from 10.9 to 8.0/100 000; however, the difference was not significant. The proportionate mortality ratio for suicide deaths was highest among those aged 10 to 19 years (20.0%) and decreased with age. The suicide rate was highest among those aged 50 to 59 years. The rate for unpartnered individuals (17.0/100 000, 95%CI, 10.7 to 23.0) was significantly higher, compared with partnered individuals (5.1/100 000; 95%CI, 2.5 to 7.8). Males used more violent methods than females. Suicide was significantly higher in Labrador (27.7/100 000, 95%CI, 18.4 to 37.0), an area with a higher Aboriginal population, compared with the island of Newfoundland (8.5/100 000, 95%CI, 7.3 to 9.7). Psychiatric illness was the most common predisposing factor. Conclusions: Suicide deaths are highest among males, unpartnered individuals, and individuals with psychiatric disorders.