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Prasantha, Beryl, Alex, Renju, Supriya, Jangala, Thomas, Thomas, Theophila, Kakileti, Chode, Priyanjali, Alex, Reginald. (1404). Deliberate Self-Harm in South India: Patterns, Outcomes and Public Health Implications from a Retrospective Study. , 15(1), 44-48. doi: 10.22038/apjmt.2026.93448.1551
Beryl Ini Prasantha; Renju Mathew Alex; Jangala Sai Supriya; Thomas Vinod Thomas; Kakileti Mercy Theophila; Priyanjali venkata Chode; Reginald George Alex. "Deliberate Self-Harm in South India: Patterns, Outcomes and Public Health Implications from a Retrospective Study". , 15, 1, 1404, 44-48. doi: 10.22038/apjmt.2026.93448.1551
Prasantha, Beryl, Alex, Renju, Supriya, Jangala, Thomas, Thomas, Theophila, Kakileti, Chode, Priyanjali, Alex, Reginald. (1404). 'Deliberate Self-Harm in South India: Patterns, Outcomes and Public Health Implications from a Retrospective Study', , 15(1), pp. 44-48. doi: 10.22038/apjmt.2026.93448.1551
Prasantha, Beryl, Alex, Renju, Supriya, Jangala, Thomas, Thomas, Theophila, Kakileti, Chode, Priyanjali, Alex, Reginald. Deliberate Self-Harm in South India: Patterns, Outcomes and Public Health Implications from a Retrospective Study. , 1404; 15(1): 44-48. doi: 10.22038/apjmt.2026.93448.1551

Deliberate Self-Harm in South India: Patterns, Outcomes and Public Health Implications from a Retrospective Study

Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology
مقاله 7، دوره 15، شماره 1، خرداد 2026، صفحه 44-48    اصل مقاله (255.91 K)
نوع مقاله: Original Article
شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22038/apjmt.2026.93448.1551
نویسندگان
Beryl Ini Prasantha* 1؛ Renju Mathew Alex1؛ Jangala Sai Supriya1؛ Thomas Vinod Thomas2؛ Kakileti Mercy Theophila1؛ Priyanjali venkata Chode1؛ Reginald George Alex3
1Junior Resident, Department of Medicine chittoor campus, Christian Medical College Vellore, India
2Department of Medicine, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Chittoor campus
3Professor and head of chittoor medicine department, Department of Medicine chittoor campus , Christian Medical College Vellore, India
چکیده
Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) represents a largely under-recognized public health crisis in low- and middle-income countries, particularly affecting young adults. Despite its significant contribution to morbidity, mortality, and long-term psychological and socioeconomic consequences, it continues to receive insufficient attention in public health agendas. We aim to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who presented with DSH to a secondary care hospital in South India.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using electronic medical records of patients presenting with DSH to the Emergency Department of a secondary care hospital in South India between 2019 and 2024. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, methods of self-harm, clinical features, and referral outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings.
Results: Of 61,797 Emergency Department visits over five years, 179 (0.29%) were due to DSH. The mean (SD) age was 31.8 (14.1) years, with a slight female predominance (50.8%); most patients were aged 15–30 years (58.7%). Toxic ingestion was the predominant method, with agrochemicals forming the largest group (31.8%), followed by medication overdose (15.1%) and corrosive ingestion (11.2%); hanging accounted for 17.9% of cases. Most patients were referred to tertiary centres (64.8%), while 22.3% were admitted locally. Emergency department mortality was 1.7%.
Conclusion: DSH remains a substantial public health burden in India, especially among young adults. The high proportion of impulsive, high-lethality attempts highlights the urgent need to strengthen emergency mental health services, pesticide regulation, and preventive strategies at the secondary care level.
کلیدواژه‌ها
Delibrate self harm؛ Suicide؛ Poisoning؛ Medical toxicology؛ Drug Overdose
مراجع
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