Characteristics of attempted suicide patients admitted in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital from January 2014 to September 2018

Abstract

Introduction: Attempted suicide is a major public health problem with a prevalence rate of approximately 2.7% worldwide. There is an increasing trend of attempted suicide in Bhutan. It is a strong clinical predictor of eventual suicide deaths and results in significant use of health care resources. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of attempted suicide patients admitted in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital from January 2014 to September 2018.

Methods: This descriptive record review analyzed 72 clinical records of attempted suicide patients. The characteristics of attempted suicides are described using detailed illness history of patients who were admitted in the psychiatric and medical wards.

Results: The result showed a higher rate of attempted suicide in females (56.9 %) and highest in the age range between 21 and 30 years. The percentage of patients from the western region of the country was higher (48.6%). The median duration of hospital stay was 5 days (range 1-74). There was a slightly higher number of attempted suicide admissions in the cold season. Pre-existing mental health disorders, mostly depressive disorder, was the major underlying cause of attempted suicide (55.5%). The predominant method used for attempted suicide was self-poisoning on medication (76.3%) with the common medicine being Paracetamol.

Conclusions: To prevent attempted suicide and eventual suicide, there is a need to strengthen early detection of depressive illnesses and regulate the accessibility of over-the-counter drugs like Paracetamol.