To investigate suicide rates in the indigenous (Nenets) and non-indigenous populations of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) in 2002-2012 with associated socio-demographic characteristics.

Retrospective population-based mortality study.

Data from autopsy reports were used to identify 252 cases of suicide in the NAO in 2002-2012. Data on socio-demographic characteristics were obtained from passports and medical records and linked to population data from the Censuses. Suicide rates for the Nenets population and the non-indigenous population were calculated according to different socio-demographic characteristics. Corresponding relative risks for each population group were compared.

The crude standardized suicide rates were 72.7 per 100 000 person-years in the Nenets and 50.7 per 100 000 person-years in the non-indigenous population. The highest suicide rates in the Nenets population were observed in the age group 20-29 years and in females aged 30-39 years. Socio-demographic characteristics associated with high suicide rates for the Nenets were 20-39 years of age, male gender, urban residence, having secondary school or higher education, being an employee or employer, and being single or divorced. Males aged 20-29 years and females aged 30-39 and aged 70 years or over had the highest suicide rates in the non-indigenous population. The higher suicide rates in the non-indigenous population were associated with male gender, rural residence, secondary school education, being an employee or employer, and being single or divorced.

Suicide rates in the NAO were higher among the indigenous Nenets population than the non-indigenous population, and were associated with different socio-demographic characteristics.