Zakiullah Nida, Saleem Sadia, Sadiq Sameea, Sani Nadia, Shahpurwala Munira, Shamim Afroz, Yousuf Atif, Khan Murad M, Nayani Parvez
Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Crisis. 2008;29(1):32-7. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910.29.1.32.
Previous deliberate self-harm (DSH) is the strongest predictor of suicide. Although several studies exist in other countries, characteristics of DSH have not been well-studied in Pakistan.
To identify characteristics of deliberate self-harm in a hospital population, building on previous work carried out on this subject at this center.
284 cases admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, between January 1997 and August 2003 were studied by analyzing medical records. Information was collected regarding demographics, family history, personal history, suicidal ideation, current stressors, the act of DSH and its management.
The most common age group was 21-25 years of age. The majority were females (60.3%). 95.1% of patients used self-poisoning as a method of deliberate self-harm. 47.3% used benzodiazepines for self-poisoning. Precipitating factors included conflict with family, marital problems, chronic illnesses, and unemployment. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were present in 76.4% patients.
Despite the difference in socio-cultural background of our patients, many of our results were found to be consistent with Western data. Our findings suggest that problem-solving therapy, stress management and improved mental health care may be effective interventions in preventing DSH. Prescription of medications should be regulated. Further studies are suggested at the community level.
既往蓄意自伤是自杀最强的预测因素。尽管其他国家已有多项研究，但在巴基斯坦，蓄意自伤的特征尚未得到充分研究。
基于本中心此前关于该主题的研究工作，确定医院收治人群中蓄意自伤的特征。
通过分析病历，对1997年1月至2003年8月间在卡拉奇阿迦汗大学医院收治的284例病例进行研究。收集了有关人口统计学、家族史、个人史、自杀意念、当前应激源、蓄意自伤行为及其处理等方面的信息。
最常见的年龄组为21 - 25岁。大多数为女性（60.3%）。95.1%的患者采用自我中毒作为蓄意自伤的方式。47.3%的患者使用苯二氮䓬类药物进行自我中毒。诱发因素包括与家人冲突、婚姻问题、慢性病和失业。76.4%的患者存在共病精神障碍。
尽管我们的患者社会文化背景存在差异，但我们的许多结果与西方数据一致。我们的研究结果表明，解决问题疗法、压力管理和改善精神卫生保健可能是预防蓄意自伤的有效干预措施。药物处方应加以规范。建议在社区层面开展进一步研究。
