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.