Resource Tag: SOUTH AFRICA

~

~

~

Suicide rates are alarmingly high in the South African Police Services (SAPS). Several studies have been done regarding suicide and law enforcement agencies but few regarding suicide ideation in law enforcement agencies. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping, stress and suicide ideation within the SAPS. A cross-sectional survey design […]

Although it is not a legal requirement in South Africa, medical practitioners determine the manner of injury death for a surveillance system that is currently the only source of epidemiological data on suicide. This study assessed the accuracy of suicide data as recorded in the system using the docket produced from standard medico-legal investigation procedures […]

~

~

~

The theme of this Conference was “Injuries, Suicide & Violence: Building Knowledge, Policies & Practices to Promote a Safer World”

Transkei is one of the former black homelands in South Africa where the majority of the population is impoverished & dependent upon either income of migrant mineworkers or subsistence farming. 3 former mineworkers & children of 2 other families have died by suicide. This article presents their histories as obtained by interviewing their relatives. The […]

This study investigated demographic variables, including affected sibling pair status, as risk factors for suicidal behavior in schizophrenia patients of African descent. Demographic predictors of suicide included sib ship status & age of onset of illness. On further analysis of suicide in siblings, only a minority of sibling pairs was found to be concordant for […]

This study reports on suicidal behavior in adult, black Zulu-speaking female patients diagnosed with cancer of the cervix. Patients experienced significant depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness/helplessness, anxious preoccupation with their disease, poor current or delayed social support, feelings of being a burden on their significant others, beliefs that they would be better off dead, suppressed anger, […]

A theoretical pathway of progression of suicidal behavior, from ideation to communicating suicidal intent to suicide attempt was examined by investigating whether adolescents at each stage of the pathway could be differentiated from those at the previous stage by their risk behaviors. For females, the more severe the suicidal behaviors exhibited, the more likely that […]

Seasonal trends in South African suicide incidence were investigated with a view to ascertaining whether they are consistent with those in the northern hemisphere regarding: 1) the existence of the expected pattern; 2) this pattern being more pronounced for less urbanized groups; 3) the presence of a secondary fall peak for youth & females. It […]

This document reviews the consequences of the End of Life Decisions Act – a draft bill in South Africa. Within this discussion, euthanasia is defined, the background of the Act is explored, its implications for the South African legal system are examined, & an overview of the Act itself is provided. (3 refs)

~

~

This article investigates the attitudes towards suicide among Grade II secondary school pupils among 3 cultural groups in South Africa. It is found that suicide ideation, plans to commit suicide, & frequency of attempted suicide are highest among Asians, closely followed by Whites, & lowest among Black pupils. Further findings & implications for prevention program […]

Cause- & age-specific mortality rates (MRs) were calculated for 1980 for all four population groups in the RSA for certain accidents, poisonings, & violence as they are grouped in the WHO International Classification of Diseases. Cause-specific MRs of coloreds, Asians & blacks were age-adjusted to the age-distribution of whites in 1980 in order to judge […]

This article examined the demographic, syndrome course, symptom & early deviant behavior history of 109 Afrikaner probands & 109 American probands diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Afrikaner participants with early fears/chronic sadness were 3 times more likely to attempt suicide, while among American participants, this form of early deviance only increased risk for later […]

This article discussses euthanasia in Canada & South Africa. Differentiating criteria for acts of omission & commission when administering euthanasia are presented. The termination of life-prolonging treatment is discussed in relation to mental competency, health care directives, & mercy killing. Legislative proposals to clarify criminal ambiguity in these countries are presented. Criminal & civil cases […]

This article briefly reviews some of the more recent research on suicidal behavior in Black South Africans. The results indicate an apparent increase in suicidal behavior in this group. Several explanations are offered for the change in suicidal behavior in the reported clinical populations. This includes past difficulties for all South Africans to access health […]