Open AccessAn Analysis of the Profile of Deliberate Self-Harm Cases in South Africa
Author(s) -
A.G. Lentoor
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of human ecology/journal of human ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.115
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2456-6608
pISSN - 0970-9274
DOI - 10.31901/24566608.2021/76.1-3.3325
Subject(s) - harm , suicide prevention , medicine , injury prevention , deliberate self harm , occupational safety and health , chose , poison control , public health , psychiatry , human factors and ergonomics , retrospective cohort study , demography , pediatrics , medical emergency , psychology , surgery , nursing , social psychology , political science , sociology , pathology , law
Deliberate self-harm (DSH) which includes self-poisoning or self-injurious behavior regardless of intent is a global public health concern. Little is known about the profile of patients admitted following DSH at Dr George Mukhari Tertiary Hospital (DGMTH) in the north region of Gauteng, South Africa. This study aimed to determine the profile of patients and reasons for DSH. In a retrospective chart review study, data was collected on all the patients referred to the Clinical Psychology Unit at DGMTH between January 2018 and January 2019 following DSH. The results showed that the cases of DSH were mostly young, single African females, unemployed with at least a secondarylevel education. Females chose less lethal methods such as poisoning, specifically non-prescriptive drug overdose, while males chose highly lethal methods such as hanging. For females, relationship and family problems remained the main reason for DSH, while males reported financial problems.