目的:為探討台灣地區1986-2007年自殺死亡率在性別、年齡、方式別、月份及縣市的分布及長期趨勢,並進一步探討不同變項間的關係。方法:本研究以1986-2007年衛生署公佈的「死因統計」資料,計算每年自殺死亡率,並以「性別」、「年齡」、「方式別」、「月份」及「縣市別」個別探討自殺的長期趨勢。結果:台灣地區22年合計有47,148人死於「自殺」,死亡率為每十萬人9.96,其中男性有31,426人(66.65%),女性15,722人(33.35%)。「吊死、勒死及窒息」為死亡人數及死亡率最高的自殺類型,且多為老年族群。然而,「以其他氣體與蒸汽自殺」的死亡率則是在青壯年族群(25-49歲)最高。以月份別而言,不論男女,五到九月自殺死亡率較其他月份高。在縣市別部份,台東縣是22年來自殺死亡率最高的縣市,但是,南投縣、高雄市及基隆市則呈現上升的趨勢。結論:整體自殺死亡率22年來呈現上升的趨勢,而且男性死亡率高於女性,尤其在中壯年族群死亡率呈現顯著上升的現象。台灣地區自殺方式以使用「固液體自殺」的比例最高,而使用「其他氣體自殺」及「從高處跳下自殺」上升幅度最大。
To examine the trends in suicide mortality in Taiwan by sex, age, methods, season, and region between 1986 and 2007. Methods: Analysis of routine mortality data from the official publications of vital statistics from 1986 to 2007 to determine trends by sex, age, method, season and region. Linear regression was used to test the trends. Result: A total of 47,148 people in Taiwan died as a result of suicide between 1986 and 2007, and 66.65% of them were males. Hanging was the most common method of suicide, especially among those more than 65-year-old. However, the most common method of suicide among 25-49 year age group was poisoning by various gases and vapors. Over the year, May to September had suicide mortality rates. During the study period, the suicide mortality rate in Taitung County was the highest, but decreased over time. In contrast, the rates in Nantou County, Koahsiung City and Keelung City were increasing. Conclusion: Total suicide mortality rate rose with time, and was higher for males than females. Suicide mortality rate of middle age persons increased significantly over the study period. The method of suicide showed a change over time from poisoning by solid or liquid substance towards jumping from a high place and poisoning by various gases and vapors.