Publication: Factors determining self-harm
Files
Date
2010
Article Type
Original Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
ISSN (Print) : 1993-2979 | ISSN (Online) : 1993-2987
Volume Title
Pages
Pages: 14 - 17
Publisher
Institute of Medicine
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Self-harm forms a significant proportion of patient attending in emergency departments, typically 10-30 per 100000 people commit suicide annually. The objective of this study was to find out the factors responsible for self harm.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 100 patients of self-harm coming to Emergency Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from from 1st October 2007 to 31st March, 2008. Questionnaire about demographic information of patient along with details about cause of self-harm, and any other illnesses associated was filled. Information about duration of arrival in emergency department, place of self-harm was gathered. Patients were clinically examined and hematological and biochemical tests including liver function test and the type of poison used and its level in blood were examined.
Results: Total number of patients with self-harm was 100 (female - 71%; male- 29%). Among female,16-30 years age group to be the largest (76%). Mean duration of arrival in emergency department was3.08 hour. Metacid ingestion (29%) was found to be the most common cause for self-harm. There is no difference of self-harm for suicide and threat cause. Only 5% of patient with self-harm has psychiatry illness in the past.
Conclusions: Self harm forms a significant proportion of patient attending the Emergency department and the most common form of self-harm used was metacid ingestion. There is compelling evidence for the need to improve delivery of care for patients who inflict self-harm.
Keywords: Cause, emergency department, self harm
Description
YL Shakya
Department of General Practice & Emergency, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu
R Acharya
Department of General Practice & Emergency, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu
MP Gupta
Department of General Practice & Emergency, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu
MR Banjara
Department of General Practice & Emergency, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu
PN Prasad
Department of General Practice & Emergency, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu
Keywords
Cause, emergency department, self harm
Identifier
https://doi.org/10.59779/jiomnepal.449