F. Qari et al., STUDY OF DELIBERATE SELF-HARM BY DRUG OVERDOSE KING-ABDULAZIZ-UNIVERSITY-HOSPITAL, JEDDAH, SAUDI-ARABIA 1989-1993, Saudi medical journal, 16(6), 1995, pp. 505-508
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.