@article{ref1,
title="Seasonal patterns of suicides over the period of socio-economic transition in Lithuania",
journal="BMC public health",
year="2006",
author="Kalediene, Ramune and Starkuviene, Skirmante and Petrauskiene, Jadvyga",
volume="6",
number="1",
pages="40-40",
abstract="ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: In Lithuania, suicides are a grave public health problem, requiring more extensive investigation. The aim of the study was to assess the seasonal variations of suicides in Lithuania throughout the years 1993-2002, describing patterns by gender, age and method of suicide. METHODS: The study material consisted of all registered suicides (n=16,147) committed throughout 1993-2002 in Lithuania. Smoothed trends were inspected. The seasonal effect was explored using monthly ratio statistics and spectral analysis. RESULTS: Suicides in Lithuania have a distinct annual rhythm with peaks in summer and troughs in December. The December frequencies fell by more than 23% in men and 30% in women, while June peak reached nearly 23% in men and July peak exceeded 29% in women, compare with the average levels, (p&lt;0.05). Hanging was the most common method of suicide both in men and women comprising up to 90% among all suicides in 1998-2002. Among different methods, only hanging suicides showed significant seasonal variations, especially in men. The seasonal amplitude has decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial seasonal variations in suicides were associated with a high proportion of hanging. Extremely high suicide rates in Lithuania require further extensive studies and urgent preventive programs, taking into account the suggestions of this survey.<br />",
language="",
issn="1471-2458",
doi="10.1186/1471-2458-6-40",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-6-40"
}