Resource Tag: SOUTH AFRICA

This study examined the prevalence, age of onset, & sociodemographic correlates of suicide ideation, planning, & attempts among South Africans. Nationally representative data are from the South Africa Stress & Health Study. Bivariate & survival analyses were used to delineate patterns & correlates of nonfatal suicidal behaviour. Transitions are estimated using life table analysis. The […]

Suicide risk was reevaluated in a group of patients with schizophrenia who were considered to be at high risk 20 years previously. Symptomatology & pharmacotherapy were investigated. Subjects were interviewed & a questionnaire evaluating suicide risk was completed along with other scales. Psychological autopsies were performed for 3 subjects who had died by suicide. 14 […]

This study assessed whether gender- & ethnic-specific suicide rates differed across 6 of South Africa’s major cities. Data on 4946 suicides occurring between 2001-2003 were collected. The overall age-standardised rate for the 6 cities was 25.3 per 100,000 for men & 5.6 per 100,000 for women. Suicide rates are most often highest among whites & […]

This study examined the association between bonding family social capital & bonding peer social capital & adolescent suicide risk. The sample was made up of 259 adolescents, Grades 9 to 11, from a school in the Durban metropolitan area. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis that adolescents categorized as being at-risk (had suicide […]

This study examined variables associated with recently diagnosed HIV-infection as a self-reported suicide attempt risk factor. The study cohort consisted of 112 general hospital inpatients who attempted suicide because of HIV infection. Based on estimated national suicidal behaviour prevalence rates for South Africa, a descriptive HIV-related attempted suicide rate of 67.2 per 100,000 & an […]

This presentation reported on 30 male patients, experiencing homosexual crises, who made contact with a walk-in crisis clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. A study examined the degree of anxiety & stress associated with the crisis & measured the efficacy of crisis intervention techniques in reducing distress & anxiety.

File copy includes a 1-page data supplement.

This study compared prevalence rates of selected risk behaviours & age of first intercourse of Grade 8 students in Cape Town between 1997-2004. Data was derived from multistage cluster samples of 1,437 & 6,266 Grade 8 students in 1997 & 2004, respectively. There was a significant delay in first intercourse in 2004 compared with 1997. […]

In this presentation, the shortcomings of crisis theory were discussed, particularly in its practical applications. The discussion departed from the notion of a sequence of temporally defined stages & attempted instead to define the process of crisis by differentiating three basic stages (crisis moment, critical stage, & resolution). The implications of this approach for the […]

Suicide among members of the South African Police Service is a serious problem. The incidence of suicide between provinces varies substantially as does the number of counselling sessions recorded by the police suicide prevention project. This article provides data on the rate of police suicide in South Africa, 1994-1999. Provincial trends are discussed as are […]

The incidence & patterns of intimate femicide-suicide in South Africa were examined. The factors associated with an increase in the risk of suicide after intimate femicide are described. A cross-sectional retrospective national mortuary-based study was conducted, identifying all homicides of women aged over 13 years in 1999. Among 1349 perpetrators of intimate femicide, 19.4% died […]

Suicide rates & proportional mortality trends in South Africa from 1968-1990 were studied. Analyses were stratified by ethnicity, gender, & age. Trends were interpreted using graphs depicting smoothed gender/ethnic-specific suicide rates & proportional mortality rates over time. There were increases in the suicide rate in the young (particularly among white males) & for whites aged […]

This study correlated geomagnetic storm activity with suicide rates. A retrospective analysis over a 13 year period, 1980-1992, was conducted. A significant correlation was found between the mean total of suicides & the mean average of storm activity during the study period. This correlation was true of both male & female suicides. Study results confirm […]

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Sex-specific crude & adjusted odds ratios for suicide by age, ethnicity, & city were assessed using logistic regression. For males, compared with the reference groups, the odds of suicide were significantly higher during middle adulthood, among Asians and particularly among Whites, & among residents of all but one city. Patterns for women differed in magnitude […]

Decisional processes underlying the determination of suicide in the largest injury surveillance system curently available in South Africa were assessed through semi-structured interviews with 32 medical practitioners. Common themes & discrepancies in opinions emerged regarding the quality of data currently available for suicide determinations & regarding the importance & difficulty in assessing the American developed […]

A retrospective review of 406 suicidal gunshot wounds to the head, investigated at the Medico-Legal Laboratory of Pretoria, between 1997-2000 was performed. 57% of fatal injuries occurred in the 21-40-year age range in both male & female victims. 82% of all victims were male. There was a slight increase in incidence around spring & autumn. […]

This study estimated the magnitude & characteristics of the injury burden in South Africa within a global context. The Acturial Society of South Africa demographic & AIDS model – calibrated to survey, census, & adjusted vital registration data – was used to calculate the total number of deaths in 2000. Suicide rates were higher than […]

The typical circumstances of suicide in post-apartheid urban South Africa are described. Data comprise suicide cases from all urban municipalities where an injury surveillance system has full coverage. Typical patterns were identified by means of a classification technique applied to 8 variables descriptive of the events, their victims, & the suicide level of the cities. […]

This article reviews the incidence of depression & suicidal behaviour in South Africa. Methods of suicide, common risk factors, & the management & prevention of suicide are also discussed. (15 refs.)

The aim of this study was to understand how families bereaved by suicide fuctioned before & after the death. In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 focus groups selected from 36 families. Themes identified were a shocking experience, no chance of survival, triggering factors, mystery, emotional & physical scars, & coping strategies. The perception of witchcraft […]

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using free attitude interviews in English with 8 purposefully selected participants. Subjects were recruited from patients admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt. Themes were identified through the McMillan method. Predisposing conditions included economic, health-related factors, substance abuse, & disturbed interpersonal relationships. Other contributory factors were emotional reactions, unpleasant […]