Gender differences in risk factors and patterns contributing towards deliberate self-poisoning

Objective: To determine the gender differences in risk factors and patterns contributing towards deliberate self-poisoning. Methods: A descriptive study of patients admitted in National Poisoning Control Center Ward-5, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center Karachi, was conducted for six months from 1st July 2013 to 1st January 2014. The information was gathered using a questionnaire generated from World Health Organization, International Programme on Chemical Safety's INTOX [WHO IPCS INTOX] recording format for toxic exposure the data was analyzed on package SPSS version 14.0. The results were obtained in numbers and percentages. The Chi-square test was used for statistical differences of risk factors for deliberate self-poisoning in relation to gender. p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Out of the 374 patients analyzed during this period the age group most frequent was within the range of 15-74 years, with 61.5% of the subjects being male. No significant age difference was observed between male and female subjects. Single male subjects represented the largest population which attempted deliberate self-poisoning. History of psychiatric illness and drug abuse was more common in male subjects. There was no significant difference in educational status, agent used for Deliberate Self-Poisoning [DSP], number of agents used or route of exposure in the two genders. The agent most commonly used was organophosphate insecticide. Conclusion: Young single males belonging to low socioeconomic group and having history of psychiatric illness or drug abuse are at greater risk of Deliberate Self-Poisoning [DSP]. Preventive strategies need to be directed at this population