Factors determining self-harm

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 1^st October 2007 to 31^st 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.