ABSTRACT:
UPDATE OF SUICIDE TRENDS IN CROATIA 1966-2002
Miro Jakovljevic1, Biserka Sedic2, Marko Martinac1, Darko Marcinko1,
Đulijano Ljubicic3 & Herman Vukušic4
1 University Psychiatric Clinic Rebro, Clinical Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
2 High School of Health, Zagreb, Croatia
3 University Psychiatric Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia
4 University Clinic for Pscyhological Medicine, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
Summary
Objective: To analyze trend the suicide rates in Croatia during the pre-war
period of socialistic Yugoslavia (1966-1990), war period in the former Yugoslavia (1991-1995) and the post-war period of Croatian independence and democratization (1996-2002).
Method: Using official suicide statistics, this study examined suicide rates in
Croatia over a 36-year span (1966 to 2002) as a function of gender, age, marital status, time, war and social changes. Suicide rates were displayed graphically and compared with some neighboring countries (Slovenia, SCG, Hungary and Italy).
Results: During the period of socialistic Yugoslavia, suicide rate in Croatia
was constantly increasing with small variations. During the war time suicides with firearms were significantly increased. Since 1993 (the period of independence and democratization) there has been a trend of evident decrease in total suicide rate.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Croatia has still had high suicide
rates with declining trend since 1993, probably related to democratization, more national, religious and cultural rights, better availability of SSRIs and systemic campaign for education of general practitioners for early recognition and treatment of depressive disorders.
Key words: suicide trends - Croatia
Psychiatria Danubina, 2004; Vol. 16, No. 4, pp 299-308
Conference paper
Medicinska naklada - Zagreb, Croatia
