@article{ref1, title="Non-fatal suicidal behaviour at the Johannesburg General Hospital", journal="South African psychiatry review", year="2005", author="Jeenah, Y. and Moosa, Y. and Pillay, A.", volume="8", number="3", pages="104-107", abstract="OBJECTIVE: Non-fatal suicidal behaviour (NFSB) severely impacts on the health services and the resources of a country and should be prevented. The aim of this control study was to describe a group of patients with NFSB and to elicit; if any; the factors associated with this behaviour compared to a non-suicidal control group.

METHOD: Interviews were conducted on patients with NFSB treated in the Johannesburg Hospital medical emergency rooms. The information was gathered by way of a questionnaire and included: patient demographics; past history of psychiatric and medical illness; family history; habits and social adjustment.

RESULTS: The study sample comprised forty-three patients with NFSB (mean age = 29.7 years) and control group of forty-five non-suicide attempters (mean age = 30.9 years). 26 (60.5) of the patients and 33 (73.3) of the controls were females. 10 (23.3) of the patients had been treated for NFSB within the preceding 12 months. Patients with a past history of a psychiatric illness or of physical or sexual abuse were significantly more likely to exhibit NFSB compared to the control group (p 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients who threaten deliberate self-harm and who have a history of previous NFSB; past psychiatric illness and physical or sexual abuse; are at a higher risk of this behaviour as compared to the general population. If NFSB intentions are suspected in or voiced by an individual; then these risk factors should be assessed and appropriate preventative measures instituted

Language: en

", language="en", issn="1811-7805", doi="", url="http://dx.doi.org/" }