Difference of Spatiotemporal Patterns of Suicide Between Genders in Korea Over a Decade Using Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

Objectives：Among the various risk factors for suicide, geographic factors have different effects on males and females. This study aimed to identify differences between genders in spatiotemporal dependence and spatiotemporal patterns of suicide mortality over the preceding decade. Methods：This research analyzed the age-adjusted suicide mortality rate per 100,000 population, spanning from 2012 to 2021, for intentional suicides across each administrative district (229 Si, Gun, Gu) in Korea. Data were sourced from the National Statistical Office of the Korean Statistical Information Service. The Moran’s I in dex for spatial autocorrelation of the suicide mortality rates was computed. An emerging hot spot analysis was con ducted to examine the community-level spatiotemporal distribution patterns, thus providing insight into the re gional clustering characteristics that reflect the temporal-spatial clusters of suicide mortality rates. Results：TIn males, the Moran’s I indices were almost above 0 (p-value<0.05) for most years, indicating sig nificant spatial autocorrelation. Conversely, no significant regional clustering was observed among females dur ing the same period. The emerging hot spot analysis, focusing on the temporal trends in the spatial distribution of male suicide mortality rates from 2012 to 2021, identified two distinct time series patterns and a total of 12 hot spot areas: seven new spots and five sporadic spots. Conclusions：This study is the first to intuitively demonstrate the disparities in spatiotemporal dependencies and patterns of suicide mortality rates in Korea between genders. The findings highlight the necessity for tailored suicide prevention strategies that are sensitive to gender differences.