@article{ref1,
title="Determinants of suicide in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa",
journal="Journal of clinical forensic medicine",
year="2003",
author="Meel, B. L.",
volume="10",
number="2",
pages="71-76",
abstract="Background. South Africa has a history of traumatized citizens and is a society in transition. Suicidal behavior among the black population group in South Africa appears to be on the increase. Under the post-apartheid dispensation they are undergoing a lot of stresses especially in relation to their as yet unmet expectations and demands from the government. Objective. To identify the possible determinants of suicide in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa. Methods. Interviews with relatives of suicide victims, and analysis of victims' demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial data. Results. Rural people ( [Formula: see text] ) were much more likely to commit suicide than urban dwellers ( [Formula: see text] ). Suicide notes were left by 13% of the victims. Hanging was the method of choice in 57%, gunshot in 30%, and poisoning in 13%. Among those who died by hanging and by gunshot injuries, males far outnumbered the females (82% and 89%, respectively). By contrast, females constituted the greater proportion of deaths by poisoning (75%). Apparent precipitating factors included economic hardship (87%), alcohol abuse (23%), health related issues (17%), marital problems (13%), and social disputes (10%). The uneducated (70%) and unemployed (64%) used hanging as the method of choice. The highly educated 5 (17%) were all employed, and used a firearm in committing suicide. Family disputes 5 (17%) and separation of parents from teenage children were recorded in 17% of the cases. Conclusion. Financial hardship was the main underlying reason, identified in 87% victims of suicide. To break this vicious cycle of unemployment, alcohol abuse, and poor health, a comprehensive poverty alleviation program along with community education could be an important step towards reducing suicides in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa.",
language="",
issn="1353-1131",
doi="10.1016/S1353-1131(03)00038-5",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1353-1131(03)00038-5"
}