Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2022.334

THE INFLUENCE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE FREQUENCY OF SUICIDES IN CROATIA

Dubravka Holik ; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Boris Dumenčić orcid.org/0000-0002-5603-6294 ; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Maja Epih orcid.org/0000-0003-2787-1220 ; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Nikola Epih ; Neuropsychiatric Hospital “Dr Ivan Barbot”, Popovača, Croatia
Bruno Popić ; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Elizabeta Matuzalem Marinović ; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Sanda Anton ; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Psychiatric Clinic, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

Background: Suicides are among the leading causes of death in the world and pose a major public health problem. It is not yet
entirely clear to what extent the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) affects suicide rates, but is likely to result in an increase in
risk factors for suicidal behaviors. The research objective was to compare the suicide rate in 2019 with the suicide rate in 2020 in
the Republic of Croatia.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for the period from January 2019 to December 2020. The
necessary data on persons who committed suicide in the Republic of Croatia in that period were collected in cooperation with the
Osijek-Baranja County Police Department. The number of suicides in that period was statistically processed according to
demographic characteristics, suicide motives, days of the week and months by years.
Results: There was no significant difference in the total number of suicides comparing 2019 and 2020. Observed by months,
significantly more suicides were committed during February 2020 compared to February 2019 (χ2-test, p=0.04). According to
marital status, in 2019 compared to 2020, significantly more suicides were recorded among married persons (χ2-test, p<0.001) and
among those who were unemployed (χ2-test, p<0.001). Persons with the status of veterans committed suicide significantly more often
in 2019, compared to 2020 (χ2-test, p<0.001) During 2019, compared to 2020, significantly more suicides were committed by
persons working in service and trade occupations (χ2-test, p=0.001).
Conclusion: At the beginning of the pandemic in Croatia, in February 2020, there was a significant increase in suicides
compared to 2019, which may indicate that the spread of the pandemic since the end of 2019, with uncertainty and cataclysmic
atmosphere, had a negative effect on mental health.

Keywords

COVID-19; pandemic; Republic of Croatia; suicide

Hrčak ID:

280076

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/280076

Publication date:

5.7.2022.

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