Repetition of Deliberate Self-Harm as Seen in Uganda

Abstract

Described is the presentation of repetition of deliberate self-harm (DSH) as seen in an African population in urban Uganda. A Luganda version (local language in study area) of the modified European Parasuicide Interview Schedule I (EPSIS I) was used to collect the data. An univariate analysis was conducted. Results indicated that repeaters of DSH differed significantly from non-repeaters on several dimensions. The factors included were: more often single, less often had children, staying alone or with their parents, reported sexual problems as a precipitant of current DSH event, more negative life events in childhood and less negative life events in the last year. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis was conducted resulting in only sexual problems and the psychological factor of trait anger, which retained statistical significance. The significance of these findings is discussed.

The prevalence and characteristics of suicidality in HIV/AIDS as seen in an African population in Entebbe district, Uganda

“…The majority of suicide attempters in this study (77.3 %) had done so once, similar results were reported by Kinyanda et al (2005b) [22] among a general hospital sample of suicide attempters in urban Uganda where the rate for first time suicide attempters was 75 %. The main method of suicide attempt reported in this study was the use of medications (both HIV medications and others, 52.4 %), this contrasts with the findings of Kinyanda et al, (2004) [23] who among a general hospital sample reported that the main method of attempted suicide was by poisons (mainly organophosphates, 65 %).…”

Men in despair: A qualitative psychological autopsy study of suicide in Northern Uganda

“…Impotence was also noted in earlier studies to have played a role in men’s suicide (Fallers & Fallers, 1967). Kinyanda, Hjelmeland, Musisi, Kigozi, and Walugembe (2005) also found impotence to be significantly associated with repeated deliberate self-harm (DSH) in Uganda, DSH being a known precursor to suicide. The suicide victims in our study for whom impotence seemed to have played a role were also reported to have had previous suicide attempts.…”

“…Sexual intercourse is seen as an act of authority by men, especially if their position is threatened (Fallers & Fallers, 1967). In contemporary Uganda, sexual impotence still carries a lot of stigma and is deeply humiliating (Kinyanda et al, 2005). Impotence tends to be kept a secret among the Acholi, as in other African cultures.…”

Poverty, life events and the risk for depression in Uganda

“…Indeed from previous studies from Africa, life events in the marital relationship that are associated with loss of face, shame and humiliation generate the most distress including precipitating suicide, domains which were not picked up by the Western designed Life Events Inventory of the EPSIS I [10,23,29].…”