Age and sex trends for suicide in Brazil between 2000 and 2016

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2019 Jul;54(7):857-860. doi: 10.1007/s00127-019-01689-8. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate changes in standardized suicide rates in Brazil between 2000 and 2016, stratified by sex and age.

Methods: Descriptive analyses of data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System were performed.

Results: 156,292 suicides were registered in the period, with a standardized rate of 4.82/100,000. The risk for males was 3.81 times higher than for females, without meaningful regional variations. This ratio was 8.2 at the 80+ group. An increase from 2000 to 2016 was demonstrated in nearly all subgroups over the 17, especially men aged 20-39 and women aged 40-59.

Conclusions: Suicide rates continue to rise in Brazil, especially among young men and middle-aged women. Older men remain exposed to the highest absolute risk.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Distribution
  • Suicide / trends*
  • Young Adult