Resumen de Characteristics of Black and White Suicide Decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, 1988--2002.
Karon Abe, Kristen J Mertz, Kenneth E Powell, Randy L Hanzlick
Objectives. We compared the prevalence of risk factors for Black and White suicide decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, from 1988-2002. Methods. We used data from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office to compile information on suicides that occurred in Fulton County between 1988 and 2002. We used the χ² test and logistic regression to identify associations between suicide risk factors and race. Results. Black suicide decedents were more likely than White suicide decedents to be male (odds ratio [OR]=2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.38, 3.09), to be younger, (≤24 y [OR=4.74; 95% CI=2.88, 7.81]; 25-34 y [OR=2.79; 95% CI=1.74, 4.47); 35-44 y [OR=1.86; 95% CI=1.13, 3.07]), and to hurt others in a suicide (OR=4.22; 95% CI=1.60, 11.15) but less likely to report depression (OR=0.63; 95% CI=0.48, 0.83), to have a family history of suicide (OR=0.08; 95% CI=0.01, 0.61), or to leave a suicide note (OR=0.37; 95% CI=0.26, 0.52). Conclusions. Future research should consider that Black suicide decedents are less likely to report depression than White suicide decedents. This suicide risk difference is important when developing effective suicide prevention programs. (Am J Public Health. 2006;96:1794-1798. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2005.082131) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
