An Exploratory Research on Suicide Attempts with 36 Chronic Patients in Lamphun, Thailand: A Caregiver’s Perspective toward Causes of Attempted Suicide

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the caregiver’s perceived themes related to causes of attempted suicide among diabetic and hypertensive patients in semi-urban and rural districts, Lamphun Province, Thailand. Materials and Methods: Interviews were conducted in 36 participants, aged 20 through 59 years, who had primary responsibility for the care of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) who had attempted suicide during their lifetimes. The demographic characteristics were compared between semi-urban district and rural districts analyzed by number and percentage. The data of perceived themes related to causes of attempted suicide were collected by in-depth interviews among 12 caregivers who provided written informed consent. The data were analyzed by the used of thematic analysis. Results: The findings of the present study showed that there were three perceived themes for attempted suicide. The most important theme clearly indicated a conflict and arguments, which presented more often in semi-urban district than in rural district. The second theme was physical illness, which presented more often in a rural district than in semi-urban district. The last theme was an escape from failure. The main co-factors related to the causes behind attempted suicide were poor family relation, the presence of co-morbidity, and the complication in chronic disease. Conclusion: These emerged themes need stakeholders to concern and meet the need of suicide prevention among patients in both of the semi-urban and rural districts. Keywords: Attempted suicide, Chronic disease, Diabetes milletus, Hypertension, Caregiver