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

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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.

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Acknowledgements

PVSM is supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development—CNPq productivity fellowship.

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Correspondence to Pedro Vieira da Silva Magalhães.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Martini, M., da Fonseca, R.C., de Sousa, M.H. et al. Age and sex trends for suicide in Brazil between 2000 and 2016. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 54, 857–860 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01689-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01689-8

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