Recorded presentation

Mark Sotir, PhD MPH¹, William McGill, PhD², Laurie Woods, MS², Carrie Nie, MPH², Richard Withers, JD², Linda Hale, RN, BSN, EMT³, and Stephen Hargarten, MD, MPH². (1) Division of Applied Public Health Training, State Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin Division of Public Health, 1 West Wilson Street, Room 318, Madison, WI 53703, (2) Department of Emergency Medicine, Firearm Injury Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, 414-805-6454, hargart@mcw.edu, (3) Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention, Wisconsin Division of Public Health, PO Box 2659, Madison, WI 53701

Purpose: During 2000, more than 29,000 US deaths from suicide occurred, 57% by firearm. However, few comprehensive data link victim characteristics with suicide method. Using linked information collected by the 2001 Violent Injury Reporting System (VIRS) of Wisconsin, we compared victim characteristics of firearm and nonfirearm (FA/NFA) suicides.

Methods: In 2001, VIRS initiated collection of victim characteristics for both FA/NFA suicides, including demographics, personal factors, mental health history, substance abuse, previous attempts and preceding crises. Associations between characteristics and FA/NFA method were determined using odds ratios (ORs), adjusted for age, sex, and urban residence. Backward stepwise regression was used to determine a parsimonious model for FA/NFA suicide.

Results: Among 648 suicides in Wisconsin during 2001, 325 (50%) victims used firearms and 323 (50%) used nonfirearm methods. Male sex (OR=6.07), age >55 years (OR=1.93), and marijuana use (OR=2.42) were significantly associated with firearm use; previous attempt (OR=0.40), antidepressants (OR=0.54), prior arrest (OR=0.57), and unemployment (OR=0.59) were significantly associated with nonfirearm methods. Alcohol abuse was associated with nonfirearm methods for persons age >55 years (OR=0.18). Presence of a mental health problem was associated with nonfirearm use for urban victims (OR=0.47). Marital status, education, current depression, and preceding crises were not significantly associated with FA/NFA selection. Sex, age, previous attempt, and prior arrest remained significantly associated after stepwise regression.

Conclusions: Significant differences in victim characteristics were observed between FA/NFA suicides. The identification of FA/NFA suicide victim characteristics may assist in developing appropriate focused public health recommendations to prevent deaths from suicide in Wisconsin.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List five victim characteristics associated with FA/NFA selection method for suicides occurring in Wisconsin during 2001,
• Use FA/NFA selection method information to assist in developing public health recommendations to prevent future suicides.

Keywords: Suicide, Firearms

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation