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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Yi-Chen Chiang, MPH and Lee-Lan Yen, ScD. Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Room 623, 6F, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, Taiwan, 886-921194872, d92845003@ntu.edu.tw

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of urban-rural disparity and perceived stressors on children's suicide ideation. Data were obtained from the cohort of the 4th graders followed in northern Taiwan by the CABLE study (Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution) from 2001 to 2004. The 1593 students who reported having suicide ideation only in 2004 (grade 7) were defined as new cases. Self-report stressors including academic performance, interpersonal relationship, family economic status, appearance, romantic relationship, etc. were measured. It was found that the cumulative incidence rates of ever having suicide ideation among children from 2001 to 2004 were 19.0%, 28.0%, 35.8%, and 44.7% respectively. Besides, the incidence rate of having suicide ideation in 2004 was 9.0%. The incidence rate of children living in Hsin-chu County (rural area) was 11.2%. The significantly higher rate than that of children living in Taipei City (urban area), 6.9%, showed the urban-rural disparity. The result of logistic regression analysis indicated that “academic performance” was the only stressor significantly affecting new cases to have suicide ideation except their resident area. It was suggested that parents should find out children's stressors as early as possible, especially their expectation toward children's academic performance. The 7th graders need to learn the coping skills for overcoming their new stressors. The influence of urban-rural disparity on the 7th graders' suicide ideation needs to be extensively explored.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the influence of the resident area and the new stressors on children's suicide ideation in grade 7 with longitudinal data.

Keywords: Suicide, Children and Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation