Abstract
Aims:
To investigate spatial distribution of self-harm incidence rates, their socioeconomic correlates, and sex/age differences using data on self-harm presentations to emergency departments from The Manchester Self-Harm Project (2003-2013).
Methods:
Smoothed standardised incidence ratios for index self-harm episodes (n=14,771) and their associations with area-level socioeconomic factors across 258 small areas (median population size = 1,470) in the City of Manchester municipality were estimated using Bayesian hierarchical models.
Results:
Higher numbers and rates of self-harm were found in the north, east, and far southern zones of the city, in contrast to below average rates in the city centre and the inner city zone to the south of the centre. Males and females aged 10-24, 25-44, and 45-64 years showed similar geographical patterning of self-harm. In contrast, there was no clear pattern in the group aged 65 years and older. Fully adjusted analyses showed a positive association of self-harm rates with the percentage of unemployed population, households privately renting, population with limiting long-term illness, and lone-parent households, and a negative association with the percentage of ethnicity other than White British and travel distance to the nearest hospital emergency department. The area-level characteristics investigated explained a large proportion (four-fifths) of the variability in area self-harm rates. Most associations were restricted to those aged under 65 years and some associations (e.g. with unemployment) were present only in the youngest age group.
Conclusions:
The findings have implications for allocating prevention and intervention resources targeted at high risk groups in high incidence areas. Targets for area based interventions might include tackling the causes and consequences of joblessness, better treatment of long-term illness, and consideration of the accessibility of health services.
To investigate spatial distribution of self-harm incidence rates, their socioeconomic correlates, and sex/age differences using data on self-harm presentations to emergency departments from The Manchester Self-Harm Project (2003-2013).
Methods:
Smoothed standardised incidence ratios for index self-harm episodes (n=14,771) and their associations with area-level socioeconomic factors across 258 small areas (median population size = 1,470) in the City of Manchester municipality were estimated using Bayesian hierarchical models.
Results:
Higher numbers and rates of self-harm were found in the north, east, and far southern zones of the city, in contrast to below average rates in the city centre and the inner city zone to the south of the centre. Males and females aged 10-24, 25-44, and 45-64 years showed similar geographical patterning of self-harm. In contrast, there was no clear pattern in the group aged 65 years and older. Fully adjusted analyses showed a positive association of self-harm rates with the percentage of unemployed population, households privately renting, population with limiting long-term illness, and lone-parent households, and a negative association with the percentage of ethnicity other than White British and travel distance to the nearest hospital emergency department. The area-level characteristics investigated explained a large proportion (four-fifths) of the variability in area self-harm rates. Most associations were restricted to those aged under 65 years and some associations (e.g. with unemployment) were present only in the youngest age group.
Conclusions:
The findings have implications for allocating prevention and intervention resources targeted at high risk groups in high incidence areas. Targets for area based interventions might include tackling the causes and consequences of joblessness, better treatment of long-term illness, and consideration of the accessibility of health services.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences |
Early online date | 19 Nov 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 19 Nov 2019 |
Research Groups and Themes
- SASH
Keywords
- self-harm
- spatial analysis
- socioeconomic characteristics
- deprivation
- social fragmentation