Citation

Omar AM, Osaima K. Arab J. Psychiatr. 2007; 18(1): 21-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Arab Federation of Psychiatrists)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study tries to answer the question whether there is a relationship between suicide attempts and the date of birth among Saudi and non-Saudi males and females, who were admitted with suicide attempt at King Fahad National Guard Hospital, KAMC-Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This work is a part of a comprehensive retrospective study of all reported suicide attempts based on review of all files admitted to King Fahad National Guard Hospital, KAMC - Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the last 20 years [from 1/1/1984 to 3 1/12/2003] where data was collected in a special study form. Chi-square test was used for analysis. A total of 365 cases were identified, 57 [15.6%] attempters chose the date of birth [DOB] for the attempt. Forty percent of non-Saudi compared to 12% of Saudis chose this day [p <0.01]. The difference was more noticeable in non-Saudi females [43%] when compared with Saudi females [12%] [p <0.01]. The highest age group was between 35 - 50 years. This study indicated that the date of birth according to the Gregorian date can be a risk factor to attempt suicide in those susceptible groups especially in non Saudi. A significant increase in the percentage of suicide attempters on the date of birth in the second decade [1994-2003] comparing with the first [decade 1984-1994] in non Saudi might give a hint to the role of globalization and the culture changes

Language: en