Citation

Chowdhury AN, Banerjee S, Das S, Sarkar P, Chatterjee D, Mondal A, Biswas MK. Int. Med. J. 2005; 12(4): 275-282.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Deliberate self-poisoning with pesticides is a health problem in many middle and-low-income agricultural countries. The Sundarban region of West Bengal, India is an agrarian area where pesticides are widely used in agriculture. During a previous cultural epidemiological mental health research in the region, the local community expressed concerns about suicidal behaviour, i.e., both non-fatal (referred to as deliberate self-harm or DSH) and fatal (suicide), particularly with pesticides. A programme of community mental health services was developed to combine research, clinical services, and interventions to study and prevent suicidal behaviour in the region. The present study reports on findings from the pilot survey of a coastal village of the Namkhana block of the Sundarban region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A household survey (n=214) was conducted in the Laxmipur Abad village of Namkhana block. A survey schedule (Household Information on Insecticide Use and DSH) was designed to elicit any event of suicidal behaviour in the households during the last five years.

RESULTS: A total of 15 DSH (46.7% male and 53.3% female) and 3 suicides were reported. The mean age of male DSH patients was higher (27.25 ± 9.22 years) than their female (21.71 ± 5.55 years) counterparts. Pesticides were the most common agent used in self-harm by both, male DSH (42.9%) and suicide (66.7%) patients. Hanging was more frequently reported among women DSH patients (50%). Family quarrel was implicated as the reason in most of the DSH attempts (71.4% male, 50% females) and suicides (66.7%). The rates for DSH and suicide for the year 2001 were 728.9/100,000 and 355.9/100,000 respectively for the Laxmipur Abad village.

CONCLUSION: Suicidal behaviour is a serious public health problem in the Sundarban region. Pesticides were the most common agent used for self-harm. A joint activity involving health service and local agriculture sector should address a DSH prevention programme. Community psychosocial intervention and farmers' education on safe pesticide practices is most suitable approach for reducing morbidity and mortality of self-harm particularly with pesticides in the region. © 2005 Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Suicide; female; male; India; aged; education program; suicidal behavior; Suicidal behaviour; Pesticide; article; major clinical study; social psychology; age distribution; pesticide; problem solving; agriculture; kerosene; DSH; agricultural worker; Sundarban; household; coastal waters; Community psychosocial intervention; Farmers training; Household survey