Vol. 10, No 2, 2003 pp. 95-98
UC 616.89-008.441.44(497.11 Niš) "2001/2002"  
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SUICIDES
ON THE TERRITORY OF THE CITY OF NIŠ WITHIN 2001-2002
Olivera Skakić, Grozdanko Grbeša
Clinic of Mental Health, Niš, Serbia
E-mail: askakic@bankerinter.net
Summary. The region that directly gravitates to health institutions in the City of Niš comprises the population of about 400.000  inhabitants. The number of suicides, compared to the period preceding 2001, appears to have doubled within 2001-2002 when expressed in absolute figures. Epidemiologically, however, the phenomenon has not yet reached a critical point.The increase of suicides occurred in a climate following a long lasting social disintegration and a period anticipating some sort of consolidation of social relations. A detailed insight into the structural features of the 2001-2002 epidemiological picture of suicides can help in the predicton of new attempts, which is presented in this report. The data suggest that suicides are proportionately more common in males who are married, elderly and officially employed, and who generally commit suicide by hanging in the daytime. In addition, seasonal variations can be also noticed, the summer and spring months being associated with more suicides.
Key words: Epidemiology, suicides, city of Niš
EPIDEMIOLOGIJA SAMOUBISTAVA
NA PODRUČJU REGIONA NIŠ U PERIODU 2001 – 2002 GODINE
Kratak sadržaj: Region koji neposredno grvitira zdravstvenim ustanovama u Nišu obuhvata populaciju od oko 400.000 stanovnoka. Problem porasta broja suicida u odnosu na period do 2001 godine, udvostručen je u apsolutnim brojevima, ali još uvek sa epidemiološkog stanovišta ne dostiže kao pojava dramatične razmere. Porast samoubistava dešava se u klimi dugotrajne socijalne dezintegracije i u periodu anticipacije neke vrste konsolidacije u socijalnim relacijama. Sagledavanje strukturalnih obeležja epidemiološkog prikaza za period 2001-2002 god. mogu biti prediktori novih pokušaja i izloženi su u ovom prikazu. Podaci upućuju na veću procentualnu zastupljenost osoba muškog pola, u bračnom odnosu, starije životne  dobi, formalno zaposlenih, koji se pretežno odlučuju za samoubistvo vešanjem, i izvršavaju ga pretežno u toku dana. Takođe se zapažaju sezoneske varijacije vezane za letnje i prolećne mesece.
Ključne reči: Epidemiologija, samoubistvo, grad Niš