Citation

Habu H, Takao S, Fujimoto R, Naito H, Nakao A, Yorifuji T. J. Epidemiol. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Japan Epidemiological Association)

DOI

10.2188/jea.JE20210066

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hardships associated with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can affect mental health, potentially leading to increased risk of suicide. We examined the relationship between the COVID-19 outbreak and suicide attempts in Okayama, Japan using information from emergency dispatches.

METHODS: This was a descriptive epidemiological study. We collected information on emergency dispatches in Okayama City and Kibichuo from March to August in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (n = 47,770 cases). We compared emergency dispatches and their demographic characteristics, especially focusing on suicide attempts, during these 3 years.

RESULTS: The number of emergency dispatches in 2020 decreased compared with the previous 2 years, while the number and proportion of emergency dispatches related to suicide attempts increased. This increase was more pronounced among women and those aged 25-49 years. Among women aged 25-49 years, there was a cumulative total of 43 suicide attempts in 2018 and 2019 and 73 suicide attempts in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS: The number and proportion of emergency dispatches related to suicide attempts increased in 2020 compared with the previous 2 years, especially among women and those aged 25-49 years. This increase may be partly explained by hardships such as economic losses or reduced social ties during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Language: en

Keywords

Epidemiology; Suicide; COVID-19; Emergency Medical Dispatch