Sex-Specific Suicide Mortality in the South African Urban Context: the Role of age, Race, and Geographical Location

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 & distribution. Suicide odds were significantly higher in all age groups, particularly 15-24 years, among Whites, & among residents of all other cities, particuarly Nelson Mandela or Buffalo City. Age, ethnicity, & city play independent roles in sex-specific South African urban suicide rates. (28 refs.)