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Title: | The Prevalence of previous self-harm amongst self-poisoning patients in Sri Lanka |
Authors: | Mohamed, F. Perera, A. Wijayaweera, K. Kularatne, K. Jayamanne, S. Eddleston, M. Dawson, A. Konradsen, F. Gunnell, D. |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
Publisher: | Springer International |
Citation: | Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology; 46(6): pp.517-20 |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: One of the most important components of suicide prevention strategies is to target people who repeat self-harm as they are a high risk group. However, there is some evidence that the incidence of repeat self-harm is lower in Asia than in the West. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of previous self-harm among a consecutive series of self-harm patients presenting to hospitals in rural Sri Lanka. METHOD: Six hundred and ninety-eight self-poisoning patients presenting to medical wards at two hospitals in Sri Lanka were interviewed about their previous episodes of self-harm. RESULTS: Sixty-one (8.7%, 95% CI 6.7-11%) patients reported at least one previous episode of self-harm [37 (10.7%) male, 24 (6.8%) female]; only 19 (2.7%, 95% CI 1.6-4.2%) patients had made more than one previous attempt. CONCLUSION: The low prevalence of previous self-harm is consistent with previous Asian research and is considerably lower than that seen in the West. Explanations for these low levels of repeat self-harm require investigation. Our data indicate that a focus on the aftercare of those who attempt suicide in Sri Lanka may have a smaller impact on suicide incidence than may be possible in the West. |
URI: | http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2054 |
ISSN: | 0933-7954 (Print) 1433-9285 (Electronic) |
Appears in Collections: | Journal/Magazine Articles |
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