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Editor- Boyle et al reported the rising suicide rates amongst young
men and also growing social polarization of suicide among young people in
Scotland.1 Apart from studying the suicidal rates, it is also important
to study the suicidal ideation and behaviour amongst adolescents so
appropriate intervention would be implemented at early stage.
The Centre
for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Youth Risk Behaviour
Surveillance System to monitor behaviours that place adolescents most at
risk for premature morbidity and mortality including behaviours causing
intentional injuries such as suicidal ideation (seriously considered
attempting suicide during the past twelve months) and suicidal attempts
during the past 12 months.2 In Hong Kong we have started the young risk
behaviours surveys since 1999.3 The prevalence of adolescents with
suicidal ideation increased from 16.9% (95% CI 16.2%, 17.6%) in 2003 from
11.2% (95% CI 9.7%, 12.7%) in 1999, and for attempted suicide, it
increased from 8.5% (95% CI 7.4%, 9.6%) to 4% (95% CI 3.4%, 4.6%).4
Social gradient was also observed. The suicidal ideation rate of
adolescents with parents of primary education level was found to be 3.49%
higher than those with parents of upper secondary education level with
statistical significance (p=0.02).5 The attempted suicide rate of
adolescents with parents of primary education level was also found to be
2.9% higher than those with parents of upper secondary education level
with statistical significance (p=0.035).5 The rising trend of youth
suicide problems and increasing social polarisation are also observed
amongst Chinese. Health professionals must put greater emphasis on youth
mental health promotion especially those with parents of lower education
level.
References
1. Boyle P, Exeter D, Feng Z, Flowerdew R. Suicide gap among young adults
in Scotland: population study. BMJ 2005; 330:175-6.
2. Kolbe L.J., Kann L. and Collins J.L. Overview of the youth risk
behavior surveillance system. Pub Health Report 1993; 108(Supp 1): 2-10.
3. Lee A, Tsang CKK. Youth risk behaviour in a Chinese population: a
territory-wide youth risk behavioural surveillance in Hong Kong. Public
Health 2004; 118: 88-95.
4. Lee A, Tsang KK, Lee N, et al. Youth risk behaviours in Hong Kong.
Symposium: Multi-centre Youth Risk Behaviour surveillance in southern part
of China. 18th World Conference in Health Promotion and Health Education,
International Union for Health Promotion and Education, April 26-30, 2004
Melbourne, Australia.
5. Lee A, Lee N, Tsang KK, et al. 2003 Youth Risk Behaviour Survey in
Hong Kong. Journal of Primary Care and Health Promotion 2005; In Press.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
28 January 2005
Albert Lee
Professor
Department of Community and Family Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Closer monitoring of adolescent suicidal ideation and behaviour
Editor- Boyle et al reported the rising suicide rates amongst young
men and also growing social polarization of suicide among young people in
Scotland.1 Apart from studying the suicidal rates, it is also important
to study the suicidal ideation and behaviour amongst adolescents so
appropriate intervention would be implemented at early stage.
The Centre
for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Youth Risk Behaviour
Surveillance System to monitor behaviours that place adolescents most at
risk for premature morbidity and mortality including behaviours causing
intentional injuries such as suicidal ideation (seriously considered
attempting suicide during the past twelve months) and suicidal attempts
during the past 12 months.2 In Hong Kong we have started the young risk
behaviours surveys since 1999.3 The prevalence of adolescents with
suicidal ideation increased from 16.9% (95% CI 16.2%, 17.6%) in 2003 from
11.2% (95% CI 9.7%, 12.7%) in 1999, and for attempted suicide, it
increased from 8.5% (95% CI 7.4%, 9.6%) to 4% (95% CI 3.4%, 4.6%).4
Social gradient was also observed. The suicidal ideation rate of
adolescents with parents of primary education level was found to be 3.49%
higher than those with parents of upper secondary education level with
statistical significance (p=0.02).5 The attempted suicide rate of
adolescents with parents of primary education level was also found to be
2.9% higher than those with parents of upper secondary education level
with statistical significance (p=0.035).5 The rising trend of youth
suicide problems and increasing social polarisation are also observed
amongst Chinese. Health professionals must put greater emphasis on youth
mental health promotion especially those with parents of lower education
level.
References
1. Boyle P, Exeter D, Feng Z, Flowerdew R. Suicide gap among young adults
in Scotland: population study. BMJ 2005; 330:175-6.
2. Kolbe L.J., Kann L. and Collins J.L. Overview of the youth risk
behavior surveillance system. Pub Health Report 1993; 108(Supp 1): 2-10.
3. Lee A, Tsang CKK. Youth risk behaviour in a Chinese population: a
territory-wide youth risk behavioural surveillance in Hong Kong. Public
Health 2004; 118: 88-95.
4. Lee A, Tsang KK, Lee N, et al. Youth risk behaviours in Hong Kong.
Symposium: Multi-centre Youth Risk Behaviour surveillance in southern part
of China. 18th World Conference in Health Promotion and Health Education,
International Union for Health Promotion and Education, April 26-30, 2004
Melbourne, Australia.
5. Lee A, Lee N, Tsang KK, et al. 2003 Youth Risk Behaviour Survey in
Hong Kong. Journal of Primary Care and Health Promotion 2005; In Press.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests