Trends in self-harm in Kuala Lumpur, 2005–2011

Résumé

Acts of self-harm are not routinely tracked in Malaysia. The present study investigates the prevalence of self-harm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia over a 7-year period. The aims were to: (a) assess the prevalence of self-harm; (b) examine any changes over a period of 7 years, and (c) identify correlates of methods of self-harm. Data were extracted from the hospital records of Kuala Lumpur Hospital to review trends in self-harm between 2005 and 2011. There were 918 episodes of self-harm across the 7-year period, with a significant peak in 2007–2009. The average rate of self-harm (7.7 per 100,000 population per year) was lower than the rate of suicide (8–13 per 100,000) suggesting that genuine cases of self-harm are often attributed to other causes. Nevertheless, over-representation of young people, women and Indians suggest areas in which resources to prevent self-harm might usefully be targeted. Estimating rates of self-harm are fraught with problems and further research is needed to understand the economic and cultural barriers around seeking treatment for self-harm, reporting self-harm and classifying self-harm. MALAISIE ASIE GENRE HOMME FEMME ÂGE ADOLESCENT JEUNE-ADULTE ADULTE TENTATIVE PRÉVALENCE TENDANCE ETHNICITÉ MOYEN