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Association of Geomagnetic Disturbances and Suicide Attempts in Taiwan, 1997–2013: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Tsutomu Nishimura

    (Translational Research Center for Medical Innovation, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
    Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science (iACT), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
    The first and second authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • I-Ju Tsai

    (Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
    College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
    The first and second authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Hiroyuki Yamauchi

    (Earthquake Prediction Research Center, Tokyo 103-0014, Japan)

  • Eiji Nakatani

    (Translational Research Center for Medical Innovation, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
    Division of Statistical Analysis, Research Support Center, Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka 420-8527, Japan)

  • Masanori Fukushima

    (Translational Research Center for Medical Innovation, Kobe 650-0047, Japan)

  • Chung Y. Hsu

    (Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan)

Abstract

Background: A previous study in Japan found that monthly mean K index values were related to the monthly number of male, but not female, suicides. Correlations between geomagnetic disturbances and suicide/depression have also been reported in countries such as Canada, South Africa, Finland, Australia, Russia, and Japan. We have previously shown that stronger geomagnetism is linked to a higher standardized mortality ratio for suicide. To date, however, no published studies have reported the correlation between geomagnetic disturbances and suicide attempts in Taiwan. Methods: Data on the monthly number of suicide attempts in Taiwan from January 1997 to December 2013 were obtained. We performed a multivariable analysis, with the number of suicide attempts as the response variable and monthly Kp10 index, F10.7 index, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, unemployment rate, and cosmic rays as the explanatory variables. Results: The multivariable analysis showed that Kp10 index, temperature, humidity, unemployment rate, and cosmic rays were associated with the number of male suicide attempts and that Kp10 index, F10.7 index, carbon monoxide, temperature, humidity, and unemployment rate were associated with the number of female suicide attempts. Conclusion: This is the first article reporting statistically significant relationships between the monthly number of male and female suicide attempts and the monthly mean Kp10 value in Taiwan.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsutomu Nishimura & I-Ju Tsai & Hiroyuki Yamauchi & Eiji Nakatani & Masanori Fukushima & Chung Y. Hsu, 2020. "Association of Geomagnetic Disturbances and Suicide Attempts in Taiwan, 1997–2013: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-9, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1154-:d:319829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chew, Kenneth S. Y. & McCleary, Richard, 1995. "The spring peak in suicides: A cross-national analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 223-230, January.
    2. Neil Cherry, 2002. "Schumann Resonances, a plausible biophysical mechanism for the human health effects of Solar," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 26(3), pages 279-331, July.
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