A Study of 270 Suicidal Attempt Patients in Nakhonpathom Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To study characteristics of suicidal patients at Nakhonpathom Hospital

Methods : The samples were patients at Nakhonpathom Hospital who had suicidal attempt behavior during October 2006 to September 2007. All patients, including their relatives, were interviewed, counseled and collected data by psychiatric nurses and psychologists.

Results : There were 270 patients ; 184 females and 86 males. The ratio between female and male are 2.13 : 1 Most of the patients were 16-30 years old, finished secondary education, single and were employed. And some patients have the habit of drinking alcohol.

The most common method of self-harm was drug overdose (48.5%) and acetaminophen being the most common drug used (32.2%) The patients reported of chemical ingestion was 43.7% and the most common chemical material used was insecticide (22.6%)

There were many causes of suicidal attempt behavior. 20.7% had marital conflicts. jealousy; 19.3% had familial conflicts; 14.2% had feeling of hurt or feeling of anger; and 14.0% had financial problems and family income insufficiency.