Agents used and profiles of non-fatal suicidal behaviour in Mdantsane, East London: Part 1

Résumé

textbfObjective: The incidence of suicidal behaviour in South Africa compared to other countries is high. Organophosphate ingestion was found to be the most common single agent ingested in non-fatal suicidal behaviour amongst the youth in a study done in Frere Hospital (situated in East London) previously. This study was performed to investigate the most common agents ingested in patients admitted with suicidal behaviour in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (located on the outskirts of East London.) Additional information obtained during the study was the demographic data of these patients. textbfMethod: A prospective study of all non-fatal suicide attempts referred to the Mental Health Unit, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, between March 2009 and February 2010 was undertaken. All patients who attempted suicide by means of overdose or poisoning were included in the study. The agents ingested were studied and classified into single, multiple or unknown. Additional factors such as demographic data were studied—these include age, gender, race and number of attempts. textbfResults: During this one year period 180 patients were referred to the Mental Health Unit and 172 were eligible to participate in the study. Of these patients 112 were females (65%) and 60 males (35%). Most of these patients were young –69 between the ages of 10-20 (40%) and 66 between the ages of 20-30 (38%). Most patients (131) had no previous attempt (75 first attempt). Only one patient was not African. With reference to the agents most patients ingested a single agent (52%) followed by multiple agents (40%). The most common single agent ingested was organophosphates followed by rodenticides and combined antiretroviral agents. The most common agents ingested when multiple agents were used in non-fatal suicidal behaviour were paracetamol, ibuprofen and vitamin B complex. textbfConclusion: In this study organophosphate was the single most common agent used in non-fatal suicidal behaviour. This is in accordance with previous research done in East London. The youth remains at high risk. Suicide prevention should include a multifaceted approach including means restriction. AFRIQUE-SUD AFRIQUE GENRE HOMME FEMME TENTATIVE PESTICIDE EMPOISONNEMENT PRODUIT-CHIMIQUE MÉDICAMENT BENZODIAZÉPINE INTOXICATION MOYEN