RESUMO
To determine the precipitating factors for deliberate self-harm [DSH], the drugs commonly used for DSH, the psychiatric disorders involved and the reasons for admitting such patients to hospital. This study addresses the issue of deliberate self-harm [DSH] by drug overdose of patients admitted to King Abdulaziz University Hospital [KAUH], in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Fifty-four patients constituted 0.54% of the admissions at KAUH medical unit over a 5-year period [1989-1993]. The study found that DSH by drug overdose was higher in Saudi patients. By gender, the female to male ratio was 2.6:1 and the majority of patients [85.1%], were between the age of 13 years and 29 years. Mefenamic acid [Ponstan [Registered]] was the most commonly used drug by more than 48% of the patients. Personal problems [66.7%] were considered to be the predominant precipitating factor for DSH by drug overdose, and it was found to be highly significant in female patients. Psychiatric disorders were more significant in male patients. The most common psychiatric disorder diagnosed was depression in 55.6% of the patients. No deaths were reported from attempts of DSH by drug overdose during the period of the study. There is a need for further population-based studies to determine the extent of the problem of DSH by drug overdose. Such findings will provide measures to develop intervention strategies, promote public awareness, and develop improved methods of preventing DSH by overdose