Citation

Burrows S, Laflamme L. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2008; 38(2): 209-220.

Affiliation

Karolinska Institutet in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of International Health in Stockholm, Sweden. (burrows.stephanie@sympatico.ca)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1521/suli.2008.38.2.209

PMID

18444778

Abstract

The typical circumstances of suicide occurrence in post-apartheid urban South Africa are described. Data comprise suicide cases from all geographical locations (urban municipalities) where an injury surveillance system has full coverage. Typical patterns were identified by means of a classification technique applied to eight variables descriptive of the events, their victims, and the suicide level of the cities. Six suicide mortality patterns were identified, most being race-specific and each associated with particular suicide methods. Preventive strategies should target local communities and specific population subgroups, and be appropriate and responsive to their sociocultural needs.

Language: en