Suicide attempts : a retrospective study.
Date
1991
Authors
Jeenah, Fatima Yasmien
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A descriptive study of 130 suicide attempts seen
at the psychiatric department, Baragwanath
Hospital during the six month period 01/01/89 to
30/06/89 is presented.
Demographic, clinical and psychosocial data were
reviewed and discussed. A follow-up assessment
was done six months after the suicide attempt.
The patients who had attempted suicide made up
10% of the patients seen at the psychiatric
department. Seventy six percent of the patients
that attempted suicide were under the age of 30
years. The male:female ratio was 1:2. The
ingestion of chemicals (65%) was the predominant
method used, The major predisposing factor was
interpersonal conflict (70%).
It was found that these patients were less
likely than whites to have previously self-poisoned,
have received previous psychiatric
treatment, or be suffering from depression or a
personality disorder.
Sixty nine percent of the patients were given
follow-up appointments. There was a poor followup
rate (25%).
A recurrence of suicidal behaviour within six
months was 4%.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of
Medicine, University of the witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, in part fulfilment of the
requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine
in psychiatry.
Keywords
Suicide., Suicide, Attempted.