Causes of deliberate self-harm among patients attending the accident and emergency department at king hussein medical center

Abstract EN

Objective: To examine the causes and methods used for deliberate self-harm among a group of patients in Jordan. Methods: Sixty two patients with deliberate self-harm attending the Accident and Emergency Department at King Hussein Medical Centre for a one-year period, from 1st September 2003 to 31st August 2004 were assessed using a semi-structured interview including demographic data, methods used for deliberate selfharm, precipitating factors and psychosocial assessment. Results: During the one-year study period, 62 cases presented to Accident and Emergency at King Hussein Medical Centre with deliberate self-harm.

The results showed that 53% of 62 subjects were single and the female to male ratio was 4:1.

The peak age group was 25 to 29 years of age.

The majority of the cases were housewives, students, and unemployed.

The main precipitating factors for deliberate self-harm were family violence, marital disharmony, and financial problems.

The most frequent method of deliberate self-harm was drug overdose (68%, n=42) with paracetamol being the most common drug used.

Nearly half of the deliberate self-harm cases (42%, n=26) were admitted to general medical ward and 39% (n=24) had a history of a previous attempt. Conclusion: The data illustrate that family violence represents the main precipitating factor of deliberate self-harm and the most frequent method used of deliberate self-harm was drug overdose, of which paracetamol is the most commonly used drug.