Abstract:
This study compares 102 patients with selfpoisoning who were admitted to the Colombo
south general hospital, with a group of patients admitted to the same wards with other
illnesses. Factors associated with selfpoisoning was studied. Selfpoisoning patients
constituted 3.2 per cent of all the medical admissions. Chronic illnesses such as psychiatric
disorders and epilepsy were seen only in 11.4 per cent of cases and repetition rate was low
(3.1 per cent). Higher case fatality rates were seen in the older age groups. The male sex,
older age, mental illness and alcohol consumption prior to selfpoisoning seem to be some of
the risk factors for mortality. Most acts were impulsive and majority gave, disputes with
close family members and marital disorder as the reason for selfpoisoning
