THE INFLUENCE OF ETHNICITY AND SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC-FACTORS ON SWEDISH SUICIDE RATES - A 4 YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

The aim of this follow-up study, based on individual data, was to anal yse the influence of ethnicity and other demographic and social factor s on suicide rates between 1986 and 1989 for the Swedish population ac cording to the 1985 census. The data were analysed by sex and age usin g a Poisson regression model. During the study period there were 8,310 cases of suicide and undetermined death. The main finding in this stu dy was that ethnicity, defined as being foreign-born, was a significan t risk factor for suicide in both sexes and in all age groups except f or males aged 30 to 49 years. Not being married was a significant risk factor in all age groups for both males and females. Form of tenure, i.e. living in rented flats, was a significant risk factor for suicide in middle-aged males and females, while overcrowding was a risk facto r for middle-aged males and for the over 50's of both sexes. As ethnic ity, defined as foreign-born, was an important variable related to sui cide, the association between different ethnic groups and suicide will be evaluated in forthcoming studies.