摘要:

ObjectiveOfficial rates of attempted suicide in Perth, in 1971‐1972 and 1986‐1987, were examined, with the aim of documenting changes in the age and sex distribution of persons who attempted suicide over the 15‐year period. In addition a survey of all patients presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital between 1986 and 1988 aimed to determine whether or not the official figures accurately reflect the number of presentations for attempted suicide.Design and settingRates of attempted suicide were calculated from the Hospital Morbidity Data for hospitals in the Perth Statistical Division and from the Inpatient Separations Information System (ISIS) for hospitals in the Adelaide Statistical Division. Rates were expressed for each sex as annual age‐specific rates per 100000 population. The data were age‐standardised by the direct method. A survey was completed of all patients presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital between 1986 and 1988 after attempted suicide. The findings were compared with the official figures for the Royal Adelaide Hospital and were used to estimate the actual rate of attempted suicide 'in the Adelaide Statistical Division.ResultsIn Perth the rate of attempted suicide for males increased from 93 per 100000 in 1971‐1972 to 137 per 100 000 in 1986‐1987. The increase was most striking in the age groups 15‐19 and 40‐44 years. The rate for females decreased from 214 per 100000 to 195 per 100 000. In Adelaide, from 1986 to 1987, between one‐fifth and one‐third of persons who attempted suicide and presented to the Royal Adelaide Hospital were not recorded in the ISIS. In 1988, two thirds were not recorded. We estimated that the real rate of attempted suicide for males in Adelaide was about 180 per 100 000 and for females was about 250 per 100000.ConclusionsOur understanding of the epidemiology of attempted suicide is largely based on data which are now out of date. The Perth findings of a 47% rise in rate among males and a 9% fall among females suggest that attempted suicide is no longer a behaviour more associated with females than males. The Adelaide survey data demonstrate that official rates for attempted suicide underestimate the extent of the phenomenon in the community by a significant margin. An attempted suicide register is suggested as a method of overcoming this problem.

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121254.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121255.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121256.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The traumatic experience of bereavement affects people in many different ways and may produce bodily symptoms of distress which prompt the bereaved to consult their doctor. A general practitioner who is familiar and comfortable with theexpression of intense emotions, and aware of the grieving process and of risk factors which may complicate healing, can have a key role in preventing signficant morbidity and mortality in the bereaved population. In this article the authors provide some guidelines from their clinical experience over the past 16 years and suggest further reading which may help doctors to be more effective in providing appropriate support.

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121257.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121258.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121259.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectiveTo ascertain the number of recorded deaths by suicide of Aboriginal people and non‐Aboriginals in South Australian urban and rural areas over the period 1981‐1988.MethodThe South Australian Coroner's records were examined by one of the authors and an Aboriginal research officer in consultation with members of the South Australian Aboriginal community (who identified Aboriginal suicides wrongly recorded as non‐Aboriginal suicides).ResultsThere was a major increase in suicide by Aboriginal people, both urban and rural, over that period, not marked by a similar increase for non‐Aboriginal South Australians.ConclusionsA comparison can be drawn with reports of suicide by American Indians. It is possible that Aboriginal deaths by suicide can be ascribed to “anomie” (a concept first developed by Durkheim of social disintegration affecting tribal peoples under colonisation). The paper highlights the need for the development of successful intervention programmes in Aboriginal health.

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121260.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121261.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectiveTo determine the level of understanding of personal genetic risk in people born with a one in two risk of having autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).DesignConsenting individuals, contacted through affected family members, were asked standard questions about their knowledge of their own genetic risk. These questions were incorporated into a study investigating the use of DNA diagnostic techniques in ADPKD which was an opportunity to interview a substantial number of Australians at risk of inheriting this condition.SettingInterviews were conducted in the individuals' homes, or at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Renal Clinic or the Royal Children's Hospital Genetics Clinic.PatientsThree hundred and eighty‐seven individuals aged 15 years or more, born with a one in two risk but who had remained undiagnosed up until the time of the study were identified within 46 families. Sixty‐six were excluded from the study either because they resided too far away or they declined involvement. The remaining 321 were assessed clinically, 304 of whom were also interviewed about their understanding of their risk of having inherited this condition.ResultsThirty per cent knew their risk at birth was one in two. Nine per cent were unaware that ADPKD was an inherited condition. Forty‐one per cent were aware that ADPKD was inherited but had no opinion about their personal risk. Three per cent thought that they had no chance of having the condition, 3% thought that they were definitely affected, 8% considered their risk lay from 1%‐49% and 6% thought their risk lay from 51%‐99%.ConclusionWithin this group of people with a high risk of having an Inherited condition with preventable and treatable components, the majority has a poor understanding of their genetic risk.

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121262.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0025-729X    

DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121263.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY