Sociodemographic profile and intention of deliberate self-harm among patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital, Chittagong, Bangladesh

• Main Authors: Mohammad Gias Uddin, Rajat Sanker Roy Biswas, Shaikh Md Hasan Mamun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of the Scientific Society
• Subjects: deliberate self-harm; intension; suicide
• Online Access: http://www.jscisociety.com/article.asp?issn=0974-5009;year=2019;volume=46;issue=2;spage=53;epage=56;aulast=Uddin

Introduction: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is an act with nonfatal outcome, in which an individual deliberately initiates a nonhabitual behavior that, without intervention from others, will cause self-harm, or deliberately ingests a substance in excess of prescribed or generally recognized therapeutic dosage. Here, the objective of the present study was to demonstrate the sociodemographic profile and intention of DSH in our context. Methods: This prospective observational study was done during 1 year. A total of 51 cases were recruited. Sociodemographic data were collected and intension to DSH was assessed using Beck's Suicide Intent Scale. All patients were followed up until discharge, and data were analyzed using the SPSS-20. Results: Among all 51 cases female were the most common 48 (94.1%), Muslims were more 41 (80.4%), 31 (60.8%) were from urban origin, most were homemaker, 20 (39.2%) were single, 16 (31.4%) were poor, and most were at age group <20 years. Intention to DSH revealed, 12 (23.5%) cases were to cope from a difficult situation, 5 (9.8%) cases due to broken-up relationships, 15 (29.4%) cases were for problems in conjugal life, 11 (21.6%) due to quarrel with family. 39 (76.5%) attempted for the first time and 12 (23.5% had a history of multiple attempts. Most 27 (52.9%) patients used sedatives. Among all 12 (23.5%) had a major depressive disorder, 6 (11.8%) had borderline personality disorder, 3 (5.9%) had schizophrenia, 28 (54.9%) had no psychiatric disorders. 37 (72.5%) had low suicidal intent and 11 (21.6%) had high intent. 36 (70.6%) were brought to a hospital quickly and all were conscious during admission, 2 developed organ dysfunction, 3 (5.9%) stayed more than 2 days in the hospital, and 49 (96.1%) had an uneventful recovery. Conclusion: DSH attempters are at increased risk of making further attempts and of dying by means of suicide. Interventions, which focus on enhancing treatment and support for these people, may reduce the risk of repeating this type of behavior.