Suicides by hanging and its association with meteorological conditions in São Paulo. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zerbini, Talita; Gianvecchio, Victor Alexandre Percínio; Regina, Damaris; Tsujimoto, Tamy; Ritter, Victor; Singer, Julio M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic and legal medicine. Volume 53(2018)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Forensic psychiatry -- Suicide -- Meteorological factors -- Regression analysis -- Principal component analysis; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.10.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-928X

Abstract

Abstract: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the association between daily cases of hanging suicides and meteorological conditions in São Paulo, Brazil. We considered a retrospective observational study based on the analysis of all necroscopic medical-expert reports available in digital form from the central unit of the Instituto Médico Legal (Medical Legal Institute) of São Paulo between July 1, 2006 and June 31, 2007. The meteorological variables were combined via Principal Components Analysis. In order to explain their association with the frequency of suicides, Poisson regression models were employed. The analysis suggests that hotter and brighter days are associated with higher incidence of hanging suicides. Highlights: Analysis of the relation between the frequency of suicides by hanging and meteorological conditions. Meteorological variables were combined via Principal Components Analysis. Poisson regression models were employed to evaluate the association. Hotter and brighter days are more related with suicides by hanging in the southern hemisphere.