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Abstract
Background: There is substantial variability, by culture, in suicide rates, and also in suicide beliefs and attitudes. Suicide beliefs and attitudes predict actual suicidality. They also are elements of cultural scripts of suicide. Most suicide-scripts research has been conducted in Anglophone countries. Aims: This study investigates women's and men's suicide scripts in Italy. Methods: Italy's suicide scripts, including beliefs about what causes suicide, were explored via analyses of newspaper stories (N = 923) of women's and men's suicides. Results: Italian newspapers mostly featured men's suicide stories, consistent with Italian men's higher suicide mortality. Women's suicide was narrated as an unexpected act signaling personal (e.g., emotional and private-relationship) problems. By contrast, men's suicide was framed as relatively understandable response to serious public-life/social adversities (e.g., an economic downturn), and as a death of legitimate despair. Limitations: Social media suicide stories were not included in this study. Conclusion: In Italy, as in several countries with higher male suicide mortality, female suicide is psychologized and considered irrational while male suicide is viewed as a symptom of serious public-life/social problems, and therefore as deserving respect and empathy. The preference for social explanations of male suicide, together with the empathic attitudes, may contribute to male suicide being relatively more permissible and less stigmatized, and therefore also to men's higher suicide mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorenza Entilli
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cerbo
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy
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2
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Sunderland M, Kershaw S, Ward C, Bryant Z, Teesson L, Whittle R, Paton E, Charnley JL, Skehan J. Media reporting on alcohol and other drugs in Australia and the Mindframe guidelines: Baseline data. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023. [PMID: 36798029 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to generate a baseline database of print media reporting on alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues prior to the release of the Mindframe guidelines in March 2019. Specifically, to: (i) describe the content associated with media entries that focus on AOD use in Australian news media; (ii) determine how the media entries compare to several domains associated with recently developed Mindframe guidelines for publicly reporting on AOD; and (iii) identify content factors associated with different scores. METHODS Media entries between July 2016 and June 2017 were searched for key AOD-related terms using the Australian and New Zealand Newsstream database. Two coding schemes were developed to rate a stratified sample of 50% of the media entries against the Mindframe guidelines. Associations between content and total comparison scores were determined using linear regression models. RESULTS Detailed coding of the 2007 articles identified as relevant for the current study indicated that a majority (67%) were focused on one of three substances: alcohol, cannabis or methamphetamine. Most of the entries were either law enforcement (22%) or criminal justice related (19%). Entries that focused on methamphetamine scored significantly lower than entries on alcohol when compared to the Mindframe guidelines, similarly entries focused on crime/justice-related topics scored significantly lower than entries focused on positive outcomes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS A disproportionate number of print media entries, particularly those related methamphetamine use, focused on crime or justice-related topics, potentially further contributing to stigma, and emphasising the legal consequences of AOD use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Sunderland
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephanie Kershaw
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Caitlin Ward
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zachary Bryant
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lily Teesson
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca Whittle
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Paton
- Everymind, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, Australia.,College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Janine L Charnley
- Everymind, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, Australia.,College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Jaelea Skehan
- Everymind, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, Australia.,College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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3
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Quarshie ENB, Andoh-Arthur J, Asante KO, Asare-Doku W. Online media reporting of suicidal behaviour in Ghana: Analysis of adherence to the WHO guidelines. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2021; 67:251-259. [PMID: 32418459 PMCID: PMC8107450 DOI: 10.1177/0020764020919787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irresponsible media reporting of suicide is a potential risk for copycat suicide. There is a paucity of studies from sub-Saharan Africa on the quality of media reporting of suicide. OBJECTIVES We assessed the compliance of Ghanaian online media outlets with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for media reporting of suicide. METHODS We searched 10 local media outlets with strong online presence in Ghana, to identify suicide-related news reports from 2000 through 2019. We applied summative content analysis and chi-square (χ2) test to the data. RESULTS We included 288 news reports, of which 261 (90.6%) were completed suicides, 7 (2.4%) were attempted suicides and 20 (6.9%) were homicide suicides. Most of the news reports failed to comply with the WHO guidelines: 92.7% mentioned the specific method of the suicide act, 82.6% included 'suicide' in the headline and 55.6% included photos of the victims. The χ2 tests indicated that privately owned media outlets were more likely than publicly owned to post a photo of the victim, χ2(1) = 17.37, p < .001, and report the incident location in the headline, χ2(1) = 15.00, p < .001. However, generally, there were no statistically significant relationships between the quality of reporting and media outlet ownership. Each of the 288 reports failed to mention any of the potentially helpful features recommended by the WHO guidelines. CONCLUSION Regardless of the ownership of the media outlet (whether private or publicly owned), mostly, the online reportage of suicidal behaviour in Ghana deviates sharply from the international recommended best practice by the WHO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana
| | - Johnny Andoh-Arthur
- Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana.,Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwaku Oppong Asante
- Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana.,Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Winifred Asare-Doku
- Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana.,School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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Armstrong G, Vijayakumar L, Cherian AV, Krishnaswamy K. "It's a battle for eyeballs and suicide is clickbait": The media experience of suicide reporting in India. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239280. [PMID: 32956423 PMCID: PMC7505452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Suicide rates in India are among the highest in the world, equating to over 200,000 suicide deaths annually. Crime reports of suicide incidents routinely feature in the Indian mass media, with minimal coverage of suicide as a broader public health issue. To supplement our recently published content analysis study, we undertook qualitative interviews to examine media professionals' perspectives and experiences in relation to media reporting of suicide-related news in India. Materials and methods In 2017–18, semi-structured qualitative interviews with twenty-eight print media and television media professionals with experience reporting on suicide-related news were undertaken across north (New Delhi and Chandigarh) and south (Chennai) India. A semi-structured interview guide was designed to initiate discussions around; 1) perspectives on why suicide incidents are regularly reported on by mass media in India, 2) a description of experiences and processes of covering suicide incidents on the crime beat; and 3) perspectives on the emergence of health reporter coverage of suicide. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed. A deductive and inductive thematic analytic approach was used, supported by the use of NVivo. Results Suicides were typically seen as being highly newsworthy and of interest to the audience, particularly the suicides of high-status people and those who somewhat matched the middle-class profile of the core audience. Socio-cultural factors played a major role in determining the newsworthiness of a particular incident. The capacity to link a suicide incident to compelling social narratives, potentially detrimental social/policy issues, and placing the suicide as a form of protest/martyrdom increased newsworthiness. Reporters on the crime beat worked in close partnership with police to produce routine and simplified incident report-style coverage of suicide incidents, with the process influenced by: informal police contacts supporting the crime beat, the speed of breaking news, extremely tight word limits and a deeply fraught engagement with bereaved family members. It was articulated that a public health and/or mental health framing of suicide was an emerging perspective, which sought to focus more on broader trends and suicide prevention programs rather than individual incidents. Important challenges were identified around the complexity of adopting a mental health framing of suicide, given the perceived pervasive influence of socioeconomic and cultural issues (rather than individual psychopathology) on suicide in India. Conclusions Our findings delve into the complexity of reporting on suicide in India and can be used to support constructive partnerships between media professionals and suicide prevention experts in India. Policymakers need to acknowledge the socio-cultural context of suicide reporting in India when adapting international guidelines for the Indian media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Armstrong
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Lakshmi Vijayakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai, India
- SNEHA Suicide Prevention Centre, Chennai, India
| | - Anish V. Cherian
- Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
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5
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Abstract
Fictional suicidal behavior can affect the public as a risk or a protective factor, and it may reflect how suicide is perceived in a society. However, surprisingly little is known of how suicidal behavior is portrayed in television series. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of televised fatal and non-fatal suicidal behavior, preventative interventions, and the portrayal of people bereaved by suicide. All episodes (N = 475) of four Belgian police series were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 87 episodes with a total of 54 suicides, 13 attempted suicides, 13 suicide threats, and 20 characters bereaved by suicide were included in a quantitative and qualitative analysis. Televised suicidal behavior was primarily motivated by external motives, such as social/relational issues or the death of a significant other, and to a lesser extent, by internal motives, such as mental or physical health related issues. Interventions were likely to prevent suicide. People bereaved by suicide were mostly portrayed as individuals seeking justice. Shame, revenge, and escape were the major qualitative themes associated with suicidal behavior. Two prototypes emerged: a ruthless, "psychopath" type criminal, who kills him/herself before being arrested, and a suicidal individual struggling with devastating life events. The study provided unique insights in how suicidal behavior is televised in Belgian police series. Though some characteristics were portrayed adequately, mental health related issues were overlooked, spectacular suicide methods were overrepresented, and the bereaved characters were mostly unidimensional revengers. Strategies for improving the accuracy of televised suicidal behavior should be studied.
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Gunn Iii JF, Goldstein SE, Lester D. The Impact of Widely Publicized Suicides on Search Trends: Using Google Trends to Test the Werther and Papageno Effects. Arch Suicide Res 2020; 24:142-155. [PMID: 30300114 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2018.1522284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the impact of widely publicized suicides on the Werther and Papageno Effects using internet search trends. A list of widely publicized suicides from 2010 through 2018 was compiled along with dates of death for each of these individuals. Google.com/trends data were then collected for searches for "how to suicide" and "suicide prevention" for 14 days prior to a widely publicized suicide/14 days after a widely publicized suicide and 7 days prior to a widely publicized suicide/7 days after a widely publicized suicide. Comparisons were then made between these time periods for "how to suicide" and "suicide prevention." Some celebrities, such as Robin Williams (2014) and Aaron Hernandez (2017) were associated with increased searches. However, for many there was no increase in search trends. Limited support was found for the impact of widely publicized suicides on internet search trends with one case supporting a Werther Effect and one case supporting a Papageno Effect. The finding that only some celebrities were associated with increased searches may be a byproduct of the impact of celebrity status on these effects, with more prominent celebrities having the greatest impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Gunn Iii
- Family Science and Human Development, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | - Sara E Goldstein
- Family Science and Human Development, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | - David Lester
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Stockton University, Galloway Township, NJ, USA
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Akotia CS, Osafo J, Asare-Doku W, Boakye KE. News Editors’ Views about Suicide and Suicide Stories in Ghana. PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12646-019-00511-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Armstrong G, Vijayakumar L, Pirkis J, Jayaseelan M, Cherian A, Soerensen JB, Arya V, Niederkrotenthaler T. Mass media representation of suicide in a high suicide state in India: an epidemiological comparison with suicide deaths in the population. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e030836. [PMID: 31324688 PMCID: PMC6661630 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Suicide rates in India are among the highest in the world, equating to over 200 000 suicides annually. Reports of suicides are a routine feature in major newspapers in India, and reporters may selectively present 'newsworthy' suicide stories. The aim of this paper was to systematically investigate whether mass media reports of suicides reflect the epidemiological data on suicide in a high suicide state in India. DESIGN We undertook a content analysis study to extract sociodemographic data on suicides reported among nine of the most highly read daily newspapers in the high suicide southern state of Tamil Nadu between June and December 2016. A total of 1258 newspaper articles were retrieved containing reports on 1631 suicides. Two-tailed binomial tests on aggregate frequencies assessed whether the sociodemographic characteristics of suicides in the newspaper articles were different to the population suicide statistics for Tamil Nadu. RESULTS We identified some statistically significant discrepancies between suicide characteristics in the population and the media. Suicides involving females (p<0.001), those aged under 30 years (p<0.001), separated or widowed males (p<0.001), unmarried females (p<0.001), those using methods with a higher case fatality rate (ie, hanging (p<0.001), jumping off high structures (p<0.001) and coming under vehicles (p<0.001) and those who were students (p<0.001) or working in the agricultural sector (p<0.001) were significantly over-reported relative to their occurrence in the broader population. Suicides involving men (p<0.001), those aged over 30 years and above (p<0.001), those who were married and suicides by poisoning (p<0.001) were significantly under-reported relative to their occurrence in the broader population. CONCLUSIONS The suicide characteristics in the print media were not entirely representative of suicides in the broader Tamil Nadu population, which may lead the general public to develop misunderstandings about suicide in their state. The discrepancies we identified will inform tailored suicide prevention education for media professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Armstrong
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lakshmi Vijayakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jane Pirkis
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mala Jayaseelan
- Department of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anish Cherian
- Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Vikas Arya
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Niederkrotenthaler
- Center for Public Health, Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Scourfield J, Colombo G, Burnap P, Evans R, Jacob N, Williams M, Caul S. The Number and Characteristics of Newspaper and Twitter Reports on Suicides and Road Traffic Deaths in Young People. Arch Suicide Res 2019; 23:507-522. [PMID: 29856679 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2018.1479321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
In the light of concern about the harmful effects of media reporting of suicides and a lack of comparative research, this study compares the number and characteristics of reports on suicides and road traffic accidents (RTAs) in young people (aged 11-18) in newspapers and Twitter during a 6-month period. Tweets about young people's suicides were more numerous than newspaper reports. Twitter and newspaper reports were more strongly correlated for suicides than for RTAs. Recent suicides were less likely to be reported in newspapers than recent deaths by RTA. Bullying-related suicides were especially newsworthy. Suicide prevention organizations should consider routinely monitoring social media reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Scourfield
- a Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University , Cardiff , UK
| | - Gualtiero Colombo
- b Cardiff University School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University , Cardiff , UK
| | - Pete Burnap
- b Cardiff University School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University , Cardiff , UK
| | - Rhiannon Evans
- a Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University , Cardiff , UK
| | - Nina Jacob
- c Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research , Cardiff , UK
| | - Matthew Williams
- a Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University , Cardiff , UK
| | - Sarah Caul
- d Office for National Statistics , Newport , UK
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Marzano L, Fraser L, Scally M, Farley S, Hawton K. News Coverage of Suicidal Behavior in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. CRISIS 2018; 39:386-396. [DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Background: Media reporting of suicide has been associated with imitative acts. Internationally, this has led to the development of guidelines to promote responsible reporting of suicide. Aims: To examine the nature and quality of news coverage of suicidal behavior in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI). Method: UK and ROI press clippings relating to suicide over 12 months (N = 8,101) were coded for content and assessed for quality against existing guidelines. We examined variability in relation to key characteristics (e.g., type of publication) and compared newspaper portrayal of suicide against official statistics. Results: Reports were biased toward young, female, and relatively unusual suicides (including those involving a celebrity, more than one individual, and violent methods). Almost a third of reports had inappropriate headlines, but only a minority were of poor overall quality, and editors appear to be responsive to feedback. There was considerable variability in the quality of reports for different suicide methods. Limitations: This work cannot account for the impact of reporting on suicidal behavior. The speed of change in media trends also limits its conclusions. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for sustained efforts to promote responsible reporting of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marzano
- Psychology Department, Middlesex University, London, UK
| | | | - Mia Scally
- Psychology Department, Middlesex University, London, UK
| | - Stuart Farley
- Psychology Department, Middlesex University, London, UK
| | - Keith Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, University of Oxford, UK
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John A, Hawton K, Gunnell D, Lloyd K, Scourfield J, Jones PA, Luce A, Marchant A, Platt S, Price S, Dennis MS. Newspaper Reporting on a Cluster of Suicides in the UK. CRISIS 2017; 38:17-25. [DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract. Background: Media reporting may influence suicide clusters through imitation or contagion. In 2008 there was extensive national and international newspaper coverage of a cluster of suicides in young people in the Bridgend area of South Wales, UK. Aims: To explore the quantity and quality of newspaper reporting during the identified cluster. Method: Searches were conducted for articles on suicide in Bridgend for 6 months before and after the defined cluster (June 26, 2007, to September 16, 2008). Frequency, quality (using the PRINTQUAL instrument), and sensationalism were examined. Results: In all, 577 newspaper articles were identified. One in seven articles included the suicide method in the headline, 47.3% referred to earlier suicides, and 44% used phrases that guidelines suggest should be avoided. Only 13% included sources of information or advice. Conclusion: A high level of poor-quality and sensationalist reporting was found during an ongoing suicide cluster at the very time when good-quality reporting could be considered important. A broad awareness of media guidelines and expansion and adherence to press codes of practice are required by journalists to ensure ethical reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann John
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Public Health Wales National Health Service Trust, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Keith Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, Warnford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - David Gunnell
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Keith Lloyd
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Phillip A. Jones
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Ann Luce
- Institute for Media and Communication Research, Bournemouth University, UK
| | - Amanda Marchant
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Steve Platt
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, UK
| | - Sian Price
- Public Health Wales National Health Service Trust, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Michael S. Dennis
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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Bugeja L, Ibrahim JE, Ferrah N, Murphy B, Willoughby M, Ranson D. The utility of medico-legal databases for public health research: a systematic review of peer-reviewed publications using the National Coronial Information System. Health Res Policy Syst 2016; 14:28. [PMID: 27067413 PMCID: PMC4828834 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-016-0096-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medico-legal death investigations are a recognised data source for public health endeavours and its accessibility has increased following the development of electronic data systems. Despite time and cost savings, the strengths and limitations of this method and impact on research findings remain untested. This study examines this issue using the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). METHODS PubMed, ProQuest and Informit were searched to identify publications where the NCIS was used as a data source for research published during the period 2000-2014. A descriptive analysis was performed to describe the frequency and characteristics of the publications identified. A content analysis was performed to identify the nature and impact of strengths and limitations of the NCIS as reported by researchers. RESULTS Of the 106 publications included, 30 reported strengths and limitations, 37 reported limitations only, seven reported strengths only and 32 reported neither. The impact of the reported strengths of the NCIS was described in 14 publications, whilst 46 publications discussed the impacts of limitations. The NCIS was reported to be a reliable source of quality, detailed information with comprehensive coverage of deaths of interest, making it a powerful injury surveillance tool. Despite these strengths, researchers reported that open cases and missing information created the potential for selection and reporting biases and may preclude the identification and control of confounders. CONCLUSIONS To ensure research results are valid and inform health policy, it is essential to consider and seek to overcome the limitations of data sources that may have an impact on results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndal Bugeja
- />Health Law & Ageing Research Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006 Australia
- />Coroners Court of Victoria, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, Victoria 3006 Australia
| | - Joseph E. Ibrahim
- />Health Law & Ageing Research Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006 Australia
| | - Noha Ferrah
- />Health Law & Ageing Research Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006 Australia
| | - Briony Murphy
- />Health Law & Ageing Research Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006 Australia
| | - Melissa Willoughby
- />Health Law & Ageing Research Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006 Australia
- />Coroners Court of Victoria, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, Victoria 3006 Australia
| | - David Ranson
- />Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006 Australia
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