Comparison of Completed and Attempted Suicide in Akita, Japan

To determine the factors underlying suicide in Akita Prefecture, a questionnaire survey was conducted among members of the Akita Prefectural Medical Association. From July 2001-June 2002, 138 suicides & 105 suicide attempts were attended. Significant differences were identified between the completed & attempted suicide groups in terms of gender, age, & methods. Furthermore, the number of cases involving a history of previous suicide attempts was found to be significantly lower in the completed suicide group than in the attempted suicide group. Results indicate the difficulty in decreasing the number of suicides simply by providing intervention & care for individuals who have attempted suicide. (35 refs.)