Publication:

A study on suicidal tendency and their socio demographic profile among the patients attending the psychiatric outpatient department, tertiary care hospital, Nellore, SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh

Background Suicide is one of the ten major causes of death in India. Intentional self-harm is also associated with long term risk for repeated attempts as well as death by suicide. Individuals differ in the degree to which risk and protective factors affect their propensity for engaging in suicidal behaviours. The present study seeks to explore about suicidal intent among the self-harm attempters.

Methods This was a hospital based cross-sectional study and includes both male and female patients attending the psychiatric outpatient department of government general hospital, Nellore. After obtaining the informed consent, the necessary data was obtained by a semi-structured interview schedule.

Results Descriptive analysis of the cases showed that those aged less than 30 years (49.3%), unmarried (52.0%), female subjects (52.0%), urban residents (51.3%) and those belonging to nuclear families (60.6%) were commonly involved. Organo-phosphorus poisoning was the commonly used method (30%). The psychological problems were the most common reason (40.0%) for attempting suicide. Mode of attempt, type of stress, existing physical illness and past psychiatric illness influenced the suicidal attempts.

Conclusions Gender specific differences were noted with regard to mode of attempt, type of stressors, physical illness, and past psychiatric illness. Young age groups are vulnerable for suicide. Identifying risk factors helps to design interventions to prevent further attempts.