Economic and environmental factors in Hong Kong suicides

Abstract

We study the geographical suicide pattern in Hong Kong and examine the influence of socio-economic status on suicides. The geographical distributions of suicide at different age categories (youth, middle-aged, and elderly) varied albeit those of the youth and middle-aged seemed more alike. High population density would lead to more youth and middle-aged suicides while a high proportion of Cantonese speaking residents and low proportion of owner-occupiers would lead to more middle-aged suicides. Four etiological factors of suicides - financial status, environmental setting, self-independence, and homemakers (mainly housewives) - were identified. Strong financial status and self-independence with less homemakers would decrease suicide rates at all age categories. Poor environmental factors would however increase suicide in the youth and middle-aged categories.