ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of overdose among Bahraini youth (15-24 years). These factors included psychiatric disorders, family pathology, and psychosocial stress. All suicide attempters in the country during an 18-month period (N= 100) were identified prospectively. One hospital-matched control was selected for each case. Both cases and controls underwent a semistructured personal interview in the two state general hospitals. A matched pair analysis was done, as well as computation of McNemar's continuity corrected chi-square test, odds ratio, and the 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio. The overdose attempter was more likely than the control to be unemployed, a member of a non-intact family, having a mother whose education was high school or above, not having a friend, involved in a boy/girlfriend relationship, and a cigarette smoker. More students among attempters had failed an examination in the past year than matched controls. Father's education, social class, death of father, recent row with a friend, use of drugs and alcohol, relationship with teachers, recent mobility, financial difficulties, and legal problems were similar in both groups. Stresses generated from living in a non-intact family, interpersonal relationships mainly with the opposite sex, unemployment, and school performance came out as the main risk factors. The association of previously identified risk factors such as depression, aggressive behavior, and use of drug and alcohol was low among attempters. While the results of this study are consistent with the present view that suicidal behaviors are multifactorial in origin, the magnitude and effect of each factor are culturally determined.
Subject(s)
Arabs/psychology , Drug Overdose/ethnology , Suicide, Attempted/ethnology , Adolescent , Adult , Drug Overdose/psychology , Family Relations , Female , Humans , Life Change Events , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/ethnology , Mental Disorders/psychology , Risk Factors , Saudi Arabia , Suicide, Attempted/prevention & control , Suicide, Attempted/psychologyABSTRACT
A one year cohort of 67 overdose attempts among youth (15-24 years) was examined as part of a case control study. The prevalence rate of 105 per 100,000 population is lower than reported rates in the West but higher than those for the region. The majority of attempters were females and nationals who used paracetamol, and their suicide intent was low. Thirteen percent visited a helping agency in the previous week and 18% in the previous month. The most common difficulties preceding the overdoses were problems with parents, school or work, social isolation and problems with boyfriends, or girlfriends respectively. Adjustment disorder was the most common diagnosis followed by depression. A seasonal variation was noted with 46% of the cases occurring in the summer months. The implications of these findings with respect to future policy making and prevention were discussed.
