[Influence of biometeorological phases on incidence of suicides].

AIM

To establish an influence of biometeorological phases on suicide incidence according to age, gender, settlement, week days, months in a year, ways of suicide execution, influence of biometeorologic phases on suicide execution.

METHODS

Comparative analysis of the data about suicides (by years, months, week days, settlements, age, gender) obtained by the Police Department in Kragujevac for the 2004-2008 period and everyday biometeorological phases (phase 1 CWD: cyclone, warm, dry; phase 2 CWW: cyclone, warm, wet; phase 3 CWF: cyclone, warm front; phase 4 CCF: cyclone cold front; phase 5 CCW: cyclone, cold, wet; phase 6 CCD: cyclone, cold, dry; phase 7 ACD: anticyclone, cold, dry; phase 8 ACW: anticyclone, cold, wet; phase 9 AWD: anticyclone, warm, dry; phase 10 AWW: anticyclone, warm, wet) in Kragujevac determinated by the Republic Hydrometeorology Institute of Serbia.

RESULTS

In the observed period there were 144 suicides resulting in the incidence rate of 14/100 000/ year. The highest number of suicides was noted in 2005 (36), and lowest one in 2007 (24). The most suicide cases happened in January and June (18 in each), and the fewest in August (7). Three quarters occurred in urban areas. Three quarters of victims were males mostly in the age groups 41-45 and 51-55 (11 in each). Females made one quarter of victims and most of them were in the age group 61-65 years (7). Total mean age was 54,66 years. Two thirds of all suicides were executed by hanging (93) (two thirds were among males), one sixth by firearms, with nine tenths ofmen. The most incidents with significant correlation were in biometheorological phases 4 and 9 (stable sunny weather and sudden impact of weather fronts, with sudden weather changes) (38 in each), which makes over a half of all suicides.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of this study, it is strongly recommended to monitor everyday biometeorological forecast, and special attention must be paid to all persons with suicide tendencies.