@article{ref1,
title="Self-harm and rurality in Canada: an analysis of hospitalization data from 2015 to 2019",
journal="Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology",
year="2023",
author="Mahinpey, Newsha and Pollock, Nathaniel J. and Liu, Li and Contreras, Gisele and Thompson, Wendy",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: The incidence of self-harm is an important indicator in suicide surveillance and a target outcome for suicide prevention. Self-harm rates vary by geographic location and rurality appears to be a risk factor. The objectives of this study were to estimate rates of self-harm hospitalization in Canada over a 5-year period by sex and age group, and examine relationships between self-harm and rurality.
METHODS: Hospitalizations related to self-harm were identified in a national dataset (the Discharge Abstract Database) for all patients aged 10 years or older who were discharged from hospital between 2015 and 2019. Self-harm hospitalization rates were calculated and stratified by year, sex, age group, and level of rurality, as measured using the Index of Remoteness. A Poisson regression was fit to estimate rate ratios for the levels of rurality.
RESULTS: Rates of self-harm hospitalization were higher for females than males across all levels of rurality and increased with each level for both sexes, except for among young males. The widest rural-to-urban disparities were observed for the 10-19 and 20-34-year old age groups. Females aged 10-19 in very remote areas had the highest self-harm hospitalization rate.
CONCLUSION: The rate of self-harm hospitalization in Canada varied by sex, age group, and level of rurality. Clinical and community-based interventions for self-harm, such as safety planning and increased access to mental health services, should be tailored to the differential risks across geographic contexts. Language: en
",
language="en",
issn="0933-7954",
doi="10.1007/s00127-023-02463-7",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-023-02463-7"
}