Citation

Vawda NBM. S. Afr. J. Psychiatry 2018; 24: e1154.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, South African Medical Association Health and Medical Publishing Group)

DOI

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v24i0.1154

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research on suicide attempts during pregnancy is limited as these are considered to be rare in the perinatal period.

AIM: A retrospective pilot study was undertaken to establish what percentage of suicide attempters admitted to a hospital were pregnant and to identify their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Durban, South Africa.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of all female patients admitted following suicide attempts over a period of 1 year. Clinical and sociodemographic data of pregnant suicide attempters were extracted.

RESULTS: Of 27 charts reviewed, 33% (n = 9) patients were pregnant at the time of the attempt. V Code diagnoses predominated, followed by major depressive disorder. Past psychiatric diagnoses and suicide attempts were also presentConclusion: Suicide attempts during pregnancy are not rare. Pregnant women should be routinely screened for prior suicide attempts, depression and stressors as part of perinatal assessments.

Language: en

Keywords

depress; interpersonal relationships; Maternal mental health; stressors