International comparison of death place for suicide; a population-level eight country death certificate study

Abstract

Purpose The places of death for people who died of suicide were compared across eight countries and socio-demographic factors associated with home suicide deaths identified. Methods Death certificate data were analyzed; using multivariable binary logistic regression to determine associations. Results National suicide death rates ranged from 1.4 % (Mexico) to 6.4 % (South Korea). The proportion of suicide deaths occurring at home was high, ranging from 29.9 % (South Korea) to 65.8 % (Belgium). Being older, female, widowed/separated, highly educated and living in an urban area were risk factors for home suicide. Conclusions Home suicide deaths need specific attention in prevention programs.