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Hanging and poisoning autopsies in Fiji

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 10:08 authored by Saxby PridmoreSaxby Pridmore, Lawler, A, Couper, D
Objective: Fiji is a Pacific nation with roughly equal numbers of indigenous Fijians and Indians. Previous studies, using police and medical records, have suggested significant racial, regional, age and gender differences in suicidal behaviour. The objective of the present study is to use a unique data set (autopsy reports) in the evaluation of earlier reports and to identify groups at greater risk. Method: Hanging and poisoning autopsy reports from two distinct regions were examined. Results: The rate of autopsy (per 100,000 population per year) among Indians (19.5) is significantly greater (p < 0.0001) than among Fijians (1.53). In the north, among the Indians, there are more autopsies in females (21.2) than males (16.8), and hanging constitutes 85% of total suicides, while in the Central and Eastern Divisions hanging constitutes only 58% of the total. These are regional influences. Among Fijians, the rates of hanging autopsy are significantly greater (p < 0.001) in males (1.98) than females (0.40); however, among Indians there is no significant difference. This is a racial difference. Hanging remains the preferred option for all groups. The mean age at autopsy is 31.7. There is no significant difference between the mean ages of the races, the sexes or the regions. There is no significant difference between the mean age of poisoning (31.5) and hanging (31.8). Conclusion: There is a significant racial difference in rates of suicide but the influences of region, age and method are relatively slight.

History

Publication title

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

Volume

30

Issue

5

Pagination

685-687

ISSN

0004-8674

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Asia

Place of publication

Melbourne

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other health not elsewhere classified

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