Non-fatal suicidal behaviour at the Johannesburg General Hospital

ABSTRACT

Objective: Non-fatal suicidal behaviour (NFSB) severely impacts on the health services and the resources of a country and should be prevented. The aim of this control study was to describe a group of patients with NFSB and to elicit; if any; the factors associated with this behaviour compared to a non-suicidal control group.Method: Interviews were conducted on patients with NFSB treated in the Johannesburg Hospital medical emergency rooms. The information was gathered by way of a questionnaire and included patient demographics; past history of psychiatric and medical illness; family history; habits and social adjustment.Results: The study sample comprised forty-three patients with NFSB (mean age = 29.7 years) and control group of forty-five non-suicide attempters (mean age = 30.9 years). 26 (60.5) of the patients and 33 (73.3) of the controls were females. 10 (23.3) of the patients had been treated for NFSB within the preceding 12 months. Patients with a past history of a psychiatric illness or of physical or sexual abuse were significantly more likely to exhibit NFSB compared to the control group (p 0.05).Conclusions: Patients who threaten deliberate self-harm and who have a history of previous NFSB; past psychiatric illness and physical or sexual abuse; are at a higher risk of this behaviour as compared to the general population. If NFSB intentions are suspected in or voiced by an individual; then these risk factors should be assessed and appropriate preventative measures instituted