Suicide and social neighbourhood characteristics: an ecological analysis in an urban German area [Suizide im sozialen Kontext des Wohnumfeldes: eine oekologische Analyse in einer deutschen Grossstadt]

Abstract

Objective: Ecological analyses on the association between social neighbourhood factors and suicide rates have rarely been conducted in German cities. Aim of our study was to analyse the association between small area (neighbourhood) social characteristics and the suicide frequency within a large German city. Methods: All suicides occurring between 2002 to 2004 in the city of Dortmund were registered and death certificates validated. Social indicators for the 62 city neighbourhoods were analysed for their influence on suicide frequency using correlation and Poisson regression methods. Results: Between 2002 and 2004, 217 suicides were registered in Dortmund. In women, but not in men, high correlations with several social neighbourhood indicators were found. In the regression analysis the proportions of married individuals, welfare recipients, and elderly citizens (65 years and older) as well as the population density were significantly associated with the suicide frequency in the neighbourhoods. Discussion: Ecological analyses may suggest details and local starting points for suicide prevention programmes.