Male and Female Differences in Homicide Mortality

Results of an Italian Longitudinal Study, 2012–2018

Bibliographic Data

ID22068838
AuthorsMartina Ventura (0000-0003-1732-9956, corresponding author), Anteo Di Napoli (0000-0003-3207-8761), Alessio Petrelli (0009-0006-8806-4114), Marilena Pappagallo (0000-0003-0655-4541, Istituto Nazionale di Statistica), Concetta Mirisola, Luisa Frova (0000-0002-4594-1125, Istituto Nazionale di Statistica)
Year2022
Volume10
Pages919335-919335
Publication date2022-07-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.919335
PMID35910885
OpenAlexW4285086107
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited23

Introduction: Italy has one of the lowest homicide rates in Europe. However, while it is decreasing overall, the proportion of murdered women is increasing. This study aimed to analyze the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with homicide mortality in Italy, focusing specifically on male and female differences. Methods: Using a longitudinal design, the Italian 2011 General Census population was followed up to 2018. Deaths from homicide were retrieved by a record linkage with the Causes of Death Register. Age-standardized mortality rates, stratified by sex, citizenship, education, and geographic area of residence were calculated. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and homicide mortality was evaluated using quasi-Poisson regression models. Results: Between 2012 and 2018, 1,940 homicides were recorded in Italy: 53% were females over age 55, 10% were immigrant females, 34% were males aged 40-54 years, 76% had a medium-low education level, and 57% lived in the South and Islands. Foreign citizenship increased a female's risk of dying from homicide (adjusted rate ratio (RRadj): 1.85; 95% CI: 1.54-2.23), while no differences between Italian and immigrant males were found. An inverse association between education and mortality was observed for both sexes, stronger for males (RRadj: 3.68; 95% CI: 3.10-4.36, low vs. high) than for females (RRadj: 1.38; 95%CI: 1.17-1.62, low vs. high). Moreover, a male residing in the South or the Islands had almost 2.5 times the risk of dying from homicide than a resident in the North-West. Finally, old age (over 75) increased a female's risk of being murdered, whereas the highest risk for males was observed for those aged 25-54 years. Conclusions: Male and female differences in homicide mortality profiles by age were expected, but the results by residence, citizenship, and education highlight that living in disadvantaged socioeconomic contexts increases the risk of dying from homicide, suggesting the need to implement specific prevention and intervention strategies

Environmental health · Geography · Homicide · Immigration · Injury prevention · Poison control · Poisson regression · Population · Residence · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Demography · Gun Ownership and Violence Research · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Medicine · Gerontology

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