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Abstract
Background
Latvia has one of the highest suicide mortality in the EU, with rate 15.5 per 100,000 population in 2020 (Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) of Latvia), indicating a crucial public health problem. Previous suicide attempt (SA) is the most salient risk factor for completed suicide, especially within a year of a first episode (Carr., 2017).
Methods
The study is based on secondary data of the Health Behavior Among Latvian Adult Population survey, provided by the CDPC. Study includes an information on a representative sample of the Latvian population aged 15–64 years old (in 2010, 2012, 2014) and 15–74 in 2016 (n = 12,601). Stratified random sampling was used. Respondents were asked to report SA during the previous year. Basic sociodemographic information was also included. Binary logistic regression was applied.
Results
The prevalence of the last year self-reported SA was 0.34% (95% CI 0.25–0.46%). Certain sociodemographic factors showed significant association with higher SA rates in adjusted OR. These factors were younger (15–34 years) age, compared to the oldest (55–74 years) age group (OR 0.11, p = 0.006), unemployment (OR 3.36, p = 0.016) in comparison with those who are employed. Education ≤9 years (OR 12.69, p < 0.001) and 10–13 years (OR 3.81, p = 0.042) showed higher odds for SA, compared to respondents with education ≥14 years. Other factors (gender, nationality, cohabitation status, income level, habitat) were not significantly associated with SA.
Conclusion
Our study showed that certain factors (younger age, unemployment, education ≤13 years) are significantly associated with SA. Further research on the topic is warranted.