Epidemiology of suicide and suicide attempts in Belgium: results from the sentinel network of general practitioners.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the evolution of incidence of (attempted) suicide between 1993 and 2001 in Belgium and to examine trends in methods, first caretaker and aspects of seasonality.

METHODS: In 1993-1995 and 2000-2001, the national sentinel network of general practitioners registered, for each case of (attempted) suicide, age, sex, date, place of the event, first caretaker, method, and survival.

RESULTS: Between 1993-1995 and 2000-2001, the incidence of suicide increased among men from 29/ 100,000 to 35/ 100,000, and decreased among women from 14/ 100,000 to 11/ 100,000. The incidence of attempted suicide increased among men (from 67/ 100,000 to 71/ 100,000) and women (from 131/ 100,000 to 141/ 100,000). None of the above mentioned changes were statistically significant however. The use of violent methods as opposed to non-violent methods remained unchanged in women (OR: 0.95 [0.63-1.41]).

CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant trends were observed in the incidence of suicide, the fraction of cases with fatal outcome and the use of violent methods.