STUDY OF DELIBERATE SELF-HARM BY DRUG OVERDOSE KING-ABDULAZIZ-UNIVERSITY-HOSPITAL, JEDDAH, SAUDI-ARABIA 1989-1993

Objective: To determine the precipitating factors for de liberate self -harm (DSH), the drugs commonly used for DSH, the psychiatric disorder s involved and the reasons for admitting such patients to hospital. Se tting: This study addresses the issue of deliberate self-harm (DSH) by drug overdose of patients admitted to King Abdulaziz University Hospi tal (KAUH), in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Fifty-four patients constituted 0 .54% of the admissions at KAUH medical unit over a 5-year period (1989 -1993). Results: The study found that DSH by drug overdose was higher in Saudi patients. By gender, the female to male ratio was 2.6: 1 and the majority of patients (85.1%), were between the age of 13 years and 29 years. Mefenamic acid (Ponstan(R)) was the most commonly used drug by more than 48% of the patients. Personal problems (66.7%), were con sidered to be the predominant precipitating factor for DSH by drug ove rdose, and it was found to be highly significant in female patients. P sychiatric disorders were more significant in male patients. The most common psychiatric disorder diagnosed was depression in 55.6% of the p atients. No deaths were reported from attempts of DSH by drug overdose during the period of the study. Conclusion and Outcome: There is a ne ed for further population-based studies to determine the extent of the problem of DSH by drug overdose. Such findings will provide measures to develop intervention strategies, promote public awareness, and deve lop improved methods of preventing DSH by overdose.