Suicide Methods Used by Women in Korea, Sweden, Taiwan and the United States

Age- & method-specific suicide rates for women in South Korea, Taiwan, Sweden, & the United States in 2002 were calculated & compared. Hanging, firearms, & jumping from a height were classified as violent suicide methods. Poisoning suicides were further classified according to use of drugs, gases, pesticides, & other agents. Half of Taiwanese & American women used violent methods, while only one-third of women in South Korea & Sweden used such methods. Poisoning was the most often used suicide method by women in all four countries. About 90% of American & Swedish women used drugs while almost half of women from Korea & Taiwan used pesticides. (31 refs.)