Analysis of Time, Place and Method of Suicide in the Area of Bjelovar-Bilogora County in the 1988-2017 Period

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze changes in the number of suicides associated with seasonal variables, calendar month, time of day versus variable location and method of suicide. Data were obtained from the Analytical Police Department of Bjelovar-Bilogora County for the 1988-2017 period. The process of Croatian application process into the European Union, accompanied by economic and social changes, was a significant socioeconomic event, which divided the analyzed period into two parts. Significant changes in the impact of the analyzed variables on the suicides committed in the two observed periods were tested with the χ2-test and Fisher exact test. Consistency of the results, as well as absence of the impact of significant changes would show less susceptibility of the covariate variable to the effect of socioeconomic factors. In the case of time of day and location of the suicides, there was no significant difference when comparing results between the 1988-2004 and 2005-2017 periods; however, a statistically significant difference was confirmed when considering the month of suicide (February) and season (winter, borderline result for autumn). Statistically, the most significant changes were found in the methods of suicide. The two observed periods differed in the mean suicide rate.

Keywords

• Time of day
• Location
• Method
• Suicide