@article{ref1,
title="Repeat non-fatal suicidal behaviour at Johannesburg Hospital",
journal="South African journal of psychiatry",
year="2005",
author="Moosa, M.Y.H. and Jeenah, F.Y. and Vorster, M.",
volume="11",
number="3",
pages="84-88",
abstract="OBJECTIVE. To describe the characteristics of non-fatal suicide behaviour (NFSB) in a group of patients and to determine factors, if any, that may be associated with repetition of this behaviour. <br><br>METHOD. The study included all patients treated for NFSB at Johannesburg Hospital during the period August 2002-October 2002. The information was gathered by means of a structured questionnaire designed to evaluate characteristics of the behaviour. <br><br>RESULTS. The study sample comprised 43 patients with NFSB (mean age 29.7 years, range of 16-75 years), of whom 26 (60%) were female. Sixty-three per cent of the patients overdosed with medication and 33% ingested household poisons. Events that precipitated the event included relationship problems (70%), illness (12%), financial difficulties (9%), and depressed mood (9%). In 65% of patients the behaviour was impulsive. Factors associated with non-fatal repetition included being in the 18-30-year age group (76%) (χ2 = 6.74, p < 0.05); being female (90%) (χ2 = 4.75, p < 0.05); having children (90%) (χ2 = 4.72, p < 0.05); a past psychiatric history (50%) (χ2 = 4.08, p < 0.05); and the current attempt deemed medically serious (50%) (χ2 = 6.67, p < 0.05). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS. NFSB is a major problem in South Africa and the incidence is still increasing. Hospital-based interventions following admission are recommended to reduce repeat attempts in such patients. Significant factors associated with non-fatal repetition include among others, a history of a previous medically serious attempt and/or a known psychiatric illness.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1608-9685",
doi="10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v11i3.109",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v11i3.109"
}