Abstract
Suicide attempts in North India are generally underreported but have been considered to be rising. Over the last five years the number of admissions to our Hospital due to attempted suicide, had risen from 82 in 2007 to 419 in 2011. 157 suicide attempt survivors completed an interview and the Major (ICD-10) Depression inventory. 36 (23 %) of our patients come from India but 122 (77%) patients come from Nepal. The highest incidence is in the age group 16-20 years. There is little difference in the overall number of males and females but after 35 years of age, the number of males is four times higher than females. 81% of the respondents were below the age of 30 years. Modes of suicide attempts were: pesticide poisoning 148 (94%), overdose of medication nine (5.7%) and attempted hanging one (0.6%). Using the Major (ICD10) Depression Inventory, 28(18%) of the participants were suffering from depression. 90 people (56.9%) admitted to previous thoughts of suicide and nine (5.7%) people had previous suicide attempts. 126(80%) of the participants stated conflicts with their family members lead to the attempted suicide. 154 (97%) relatives did not expect the person to attempt suicide. 121 (77%) participants were influenced to attempt suicide by having heard about someone in their neighbourhood, friends, or family who had previously attempted suicide. Work to prevent suicide attempts and deaths needs to be focussed on young people and help them to learn to handle conflict and stress, particularly in family situations.
Highlights
Suicide is a worldwide phenomenon, and whether it is a fatal or non-fatal suicide attempt, it has repercussions on the family, the extended family, and wider community
Between 16 May 2012 and 13 March 2013, there were 372 suicide attempts (368 poisonings and 4 hangings) of which 32 persons died in hospital
Over 80% of the suicide attempt respondents in this study were under 30 years of age
Summary
Suicide is a worldwide phenomenon, and whether it is a fatal or non-fatal suicide attempt, it has repercussions on the family, the extended family, and wider community. Duncan Hospital is a 230 bed hospital and community health facility at Raxaul, East Champaran District, Bihar. It began in 1930 on the Indo-Nepal border to serve patients from both India and Nepal. Duncan Hospital recorded 82, 126 and 202 admissions due to attempted suicide in the years 2007, 2008, and 2009 Of these 410 patients, 403 patients ingested poisons (predominantly pesticides), and seven attempted hanging (Unpublished hospital data). Current literature seems to have variation across the country regarding influencing factors, and as there was no published literature from this region, we hoped to determine what factors were relevant for North Bihar The aim of this was to help us develop relevant hospital and community services with appropriate personnel to treat mental health issues and prevent suicides
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
