Suicide in Rural Central India: Profile of Attempters of Deliberate Self Harm Presenting to Padhar Hospital in Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Background:Suicide is a significant public health issue. India currently has the largest number of suicides in the world and has a disproportionate number of youth suicides including young women. The studies on patterns of suicide in rural central India are sparse, particularly among tribal communities.Aims:The aim of this study is to describe the profile of suicide attempters presenting to a secondary-level hospital in rural central India and identify areas for potential future research toward preventive strategies.Materials and Methods:A retrospective chart review was carried out of eighty patients who were admitted with presenting complaints of deliberate self-harm and survived until psychiatric consultation. Descriptive statistics was employed to generate the results.Results and Conclusions:86% of the attempts were isolated impulsive attempts following triggers, the most common of which was interpersonal disputes (71%). Only 67% of patients had a mental health condition, the most common syndrome being alcohol use disorder, followed by depression, and personality disorders. Although 45% of attempters had background interpersonal conflicts, only 5% reported financial stressors as contributory. Psychosocial stressors, especially interpersonal conflicts within the family, appear to be at least as important factors as mental illnesses in contributing to suicide attempts in the area.

Sociodemographic Profile and Psychological Factors Influencing Deliberate Self Harm in a Tertiary Rural Health Care Setup: A Cross-sectional Study

“…17 2016), who conducted research in a rural area of Madhya Pradesh and found that 69% of patients from rural agricultural households, compared to 31% of patients had urban or semi-urban upbringings. 18 Index study found a majority (58.6%) of the patients belonged to the lower middle-class or lower class of socioeconomic status which is comparable to the study done by Niaz U et al (2006), in which they found that the majority of the people in their study were from lower socioeconomic background and unemployed. 19 People with low levels of education, employment opportunities, and income are more likely to experience financial stress and a sense of insecurity, which can lead to suicidal behavior.…”

Consultation-liaison psychiatric service utilization by suicide attempters

“…[ 27 41 ] Two studies found the most common psychiatric diagnosis to be alcohol dependence syndrome. [ 34 42 ] In our study, the leading diagnoses were adjustment disorder and depressive disorders which accounted for almost 20% each with alcohol abuse/dependence and borderline personality disorder being the third and fourth common diagnosis, respectively.…”

“…[ 29 30 31 32 33 ] Most Indian studies have found depressive disorders, commonly ranging between 20% and 40% to be the most common diagnosis followed by adjustment disorder. [ 28 29 31 32 34 35 36 ] A few studies have found adjustment disorder to be the most common disorder. [ 37 38 39 40 ] Two studies have found personality disorders, mainly emotionally unstable personality disorder to be the most common psychiatric diagnosis.…”