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Characteristics of suicide attempts seen in emergency service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2023

R. Ouali*
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
R. Masmoudi
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
F. Guermazi
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
A. Mellouli
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
O. Chakroun
Affiliation:
Emergency department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
R. Sellami
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
E. Derbel
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
I. Feki
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
J. Masmoudi
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A, Hedi Chaker University Hospital
N. Rekik
Affiliation:
Emergency department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

The suicidal phenomenon constitutes a real public health problem not only by the human losses it causes, but also by the psychological and social problems to which it testifies.

Objectives

The objective was to describe suicide attempts in patients hospitalized in the emergency room.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with patients admitted to vital emergencies for attempted suicide over a period of 6 months.

We excluded Patients with major cognitive impairment, which prevents understanding of the questionnaire

A data collection sheet was used for the evaluation of the suicide attempts.

Results

Our sample consisted of 101 suicide attempts. Using non-physical methods (drugs, caustics, pesticides, gases) was reported in 91.9% of cases and while physical methods (hanging, phlebotomy, drowning) in 8.9% of cases. Self-poisoning by medications was the most frequent (51%) method used in suicide attempt. The majority of suicide attempts were reactive (77.2%). Family or marital conflicts were the precipitating factor most mentioned (74%). The suicidal act was unpremeditated in 66% of cases. Communication of suicidal intent either verbally or in writing was reported in 34.7% of cases. The passage to the suicidal act was preceded by taking alcohol in 7% of cases and cannabis in 3% of cases. In 44.6% of cases, regret was the attitude most adopted by suicide attempters towards the act. The somatic state on admission was unstable on the cardiac level in 23% of the cases, on the respiratory level in 27% of the cases and on the neurological level in 38% of the cases

Conclusions

The data from our study suggest that suicidal attempts were mostly unpremeditated. Clinicians should not minimize the significance of impulsive attempts, as they are associated with a similar level of lethality as premeditated attempts

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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