Trend Analysis of Suicide Mortality and Years of Life Lost from 2012 to 2023 in Khuzestan Province, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: The present study was designed to assess the mortality rate and years of life lost due to suicide in Khuzestan province . Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: In this study, data on all deaths caused by suicide in Khuzestan province were obtained from the population-based Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS). Crude and age-standardized suicide mortality rates (ASR) were calculated based on gender and year of death over the study period. Subsequently, the number of years of life lost (YLL) was calculated based on age and gender. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to examine the trends in crude mortality rates, age-standardized rates (ASRs), and YLL rates.

Results: During the study years, 1904 suicide deaths occurred in Khuzestan province . Of these deaths, 1157 (60.8%) occurred in men. The highest number of deaths in both genders occurred due to hanging. According to the joinpoint regression, the 12-year trend of YLL rate due to premature mortality was stable. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was -0.4% (95% CI -4.5 to 7.9, P=0.986) for males, and it was 2.4% (95% CI -1.6 to 7.5, P=0.222) for females. There were 1 joinpoint and 2 time periods for males (2012-2014 (non-significant decreases) and 2014-2023 (significant increases)), and there were 1 joinpoint and 2 time periods for females (2012-2016 (significant decreases) and 2016-2023 (significant increases)).

Conclusion: The findings revealed a significant increase in age-standardized mortality rate among women and a stable trend among men, and a slight rise in crude mortality rate in men. To address these concerns, it is recommended that targeted region-specific prevention programs be strengthened.