Profile of risk factors associated with suicide attempts: A study from Orissa, India

Suicide prevention is possible: A perception after suicide attempt

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a preventable cause of death, inspite of which its incidence is increasing worldwide. Very few studies are done to know the perception of suicide attempters regarding prevention of their suicide attempt. Such information may be helpful in implementing preventive strategies. This study was done to find out whether those who attempted suicide and recovered perceived that their suicide attempt could have been prevented or not.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty consecutive subjects were recruited by purposive sampling method. These subjects were admitted for suicide attempt and were stable after medical management. Subjects were assessed using socio-demographic and clinical proforma, Pierce suicide intent scale and structured questionnaire to assess their perception regarding suicide. Group differences for categorical variables were examined with the chi-square test, whereas an independent 't' test was used for continuous variables.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed that 80% of suicide attempters felt that their suicide attempt could have been prevented. 64% of the study subjects perceived that family members and near and dear ones could have helped in preventing their attempt while 16% of the study subjects perceived that society could have helped.

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of subjects on recovery from the suicide attempt perceived that their suicide attempt could have been prevented by family members, near and dear ones and society.

Risk factors for suicide attempt in an Arab kindred

OBJECTIVE

This explorative study examines correlates of suicidal behavior in an extended Arab kindred selected because of a high rate of suicidal behavior.

METHODS

Family members (n=468) aged 15 through 55 were assessed using a comprehensive structured psychiatric interview, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), which covers a wide range of psychopathology, including a spectrum of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In addition, self-reported depression, anxiety, hopelessness, impulsivity and hostility, early childhood adversity, and suicidal behavior in first- and second-degree relatives were assessed.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found between suicidal thoughts and behavior, and the presence of family history of suicide, all forms of psychopathology and suicidal behaviors. In addition, impulsivity and hostility were also significantly associated with suicidality.

LIMITATION

The absence of similar assessments in comparison families, makes it difficult to assess why this family appears to be at higher risk for suicidal behavior.

CONCLUSION

Risk correlates of suicidal behavior in the Arab kindred are similar to those reported from other parts of the world. These findings suggest that effective means of suicide prevention used in European populations may be successfully adapted to prevent suicide in this ethnic group as well. Since all forms of suicidal behavior in this population as well as in other Arab populations are increasing rapidly (Karam et al., 2008), these results have important implications for suicide prevention as well as for the understanding of the genetics of suicide.

Gender differences in suicidal expressions and their determinants among young people in Cambodia, a post-conflict country

BACKGROUND

Suicide among young people is a global public health problem, but adequate information on determinants of suicidal expression is lacking in middle and low income countries. Young people in transitional economies are vulnerable to psychosocial stressors and suicidal expressions. This study explores the suicidal expressions and their determinants among high school students in Cambodia, with specific focus on gender differences.

METHODS

A sample of 320 young people, consisting of 153 boys and 167 girls between 15-18 years of age, was randomly selected from two high schools in Cambodia. Their self-reported suicidal expressions, mental health problems, life-skills dimensions, and exposure to suicidal behavior in others were measured using the Youth Self-Report (YSR), Life-Skills Development Scale (LSDS)-Adolescent Form, and Attitude Towards Suicide (ATTS) questionnaires.

RESULTS

Suicidal plans were reported more often by teenage boys than teenage girls (M=17.3%, F=5.6%, p=0.001), whereas girls reported more attempts (M=0.6%, F=7.8%, p=0.012). Young men scored significantly higher on rule-breaking behavior than young women (p=0.001), whereas young women scored higher on anxious/depression (p=0.000), withdrawn/depression (p=0.002), somatic complaints (p=0.034), social problems (p=0.006), and internalizing syndrome (p=0.000). Young men exposed to suicide had significantly higher scores for internalizing syndrome compared to those unexposed (p=0.001), while young women exposed to suicide scored significantly higher on both internalizing (p=0.001) and externalizing syndromes (p=0.012). Any type of exposure to suicidal expressions increased the risk for own suicidal expressions in both genders (OR=2.04, 95% CI=1.06-3.91); among young women, however, those exposed to suicide among friends and partners were at greater risk for the serious suicidal expressions (OR=2.79, 95% CI=1.00-7.74). Life skills dimension scores inversely correlated with externalizing syndrome in young men (p=0.026) and internalizing syndrome in young women (p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The significant gender differences in suicidal expressions and their determinants in Cambodian teenagers highlight the importance of culturally appropriate and gender-specific suicide prevention programs. School-based life skills promotion may indirectly influence the determinants for suicidal expressions, particularly among young women with internalizing syndrome in Cambodia.

Sociodemographic profile, clinical factors, and mode of attempt in suicide attempters in consultation liaison psychiatry in a tertiary care center

BACKGROUND

The objective was to study the sociodemographic data, psychiatric disorder, precipitating events, and mode of attempt in suicide attempted patients referred to consultation liaison psychiatric services.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A prospective study of 6-month duration was done in a tertiary care center in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During the 6-month period all referrals were screened for the presence of suicide attempters in consultation liaison services. Those who fulfilled the criteria for suicide attempters were evaluated by using semistructured pro forma containing sociodemographic data, precipitating events, mode of attempt, and psychiatric diagnosis by using ICD-10.

RESULTS

The male-to-female ratio was similar. Adult age, urban background, employed, matriculation educated were more represented in this study. More than 80% of all attempters had psychiatric disorder. Majority had a precipitating event prior to suicide attempt. The most common method of attempt was by use of corrosive.

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of suicide attempter patients had mental illness. Early identification and treatment of these disorders would have prevented morbidity and mortality associated with this. There is a need of proper education of relatives about keeping corrosive and other poisonous material away from patients as it was being commonest mode of attempt.