Study of socio-economic and other factors associated with self-poisoning in patients admitted to the Colombo South General Hospital.

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