ISSN 0303-5212
 

Original Research 
RMJ. 2024; 49(4): 851-854


Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital

Mansoor Ali, Rabail Altaf, Haya Afzal Memon, Muhammad shafique Soomro, Pushpa, Pardeep Kumar.


Abstract
Objective: To explore regional variations in suicidal behavior and assess patterns of suicide and self-harm among patients registered with medicolegal centers at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Methodology: This retrospective study was undertaken at the department of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Gambat Medical College, PSAQSJIMS Gambat and PUMHS, Nawab shah, from January to July 2023. Demographic details, the nature and method of self-harm or suicide, and any underlying psychological or situational factors were recorded.
Results: Out of 163 cases, 105 (64.4%) were male and 58 (35.6%) females. The most prevalent age group was 25-35 years, predominantly male. Many participants had limited education, with a significant portion being either unemployed (31.9%) or students (28.8%). A majority (63.2%) resided in rural areas. We found that 7.4% reported self-harm or suicide attempts. Notably, 32.5% had a history of mental illness, and 15.3% had a history of drug abuse. Main motives for suicide included financial reasons (38.7%), domestic conflicts (9.2%), mental illness (20.9%), workplace/business-related stress (12.9%), exam failure (14.1%), and physical health concerns (4.3%).
Conclusion: Despite limitations such as a small sample size, the findings offer valuable insights into demographic and psychosocial factors associated with suicide in Pakistan. They emphasize the need to enhance surveillance systems and tailor interventions for at-risk populations, particularly in rural areas, to address this critical public health issue.

Key words: Suicide, self-harm, medicolegal, hanging, domestic abuse.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Ali M, Altaf R, Memon HA, Soomro Ms, Pushpa , Kumar P. Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital. RMJ. 2024; 49(4): 851-854.


Web Style

Ali M, Altaf R, Memon HA, Soomro Ms, Pushpa , Kumar P. Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=181165 [Access: November 17, 2024].


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Ali M, Altaf R, Memon HA, Soomro Ms, Pushpa , Kumar P. Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital. RMJ. 2024; 49(4): 851-854.



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Ali M, Altaf R, Memon HA, Soomro Ms, Pushpa , Kumar P. Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital. RMJ. (2024), [cited November 17, 2024]; 49(4): 851-854.



Harvard Style

Ali, M., Altaf, . R., Memon, . H. A., Soomro, . M. s., Pushpa, . & Kumar, . P. (2024) Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital. RMJ, 49 (4), 851-854.



Turabian Style

Ali, Mansoor, Rabail Altaf, Haya Afzal Memon, Muhammad shafique Soomro, Pushpa, and Pardeep Kumar. 2024. Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital. Rawal Medical Journal, 49 (4), 851-854.



Chicago Style

Ali, Mansoor, Rabail Altaf, Haya Afzal Memon, Muhammad shafique Soomro, Pushpa, and Pardeep Kumar. "Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital." Rawal Medical Journal 49 (2024), 851-854.



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Ali, Mansoor, Rabail Altaf, Haya Afzal Memon, Muhammad shafique Soomro, Pushpa, and Pardeep Kumar. "Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital." Rawal Medical Journal 49.4 (2024), 851-854. Print.



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Ali, M., Altaf, . R., Memon, . H. A., Soomro, . M. s., Pushpa, . & Kumar, . P. (2024) Patterns of suicides and self-harm in patients who were registered with a medicolegal center in a tertiary care hospital. Rawal Medical Journal, 49 (4), 851-854.