Publications
A Cross-Sectional Study of The Pattern of Cases of Deliberate Self-Harm in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Shinto Devassy , Varghese P.S. Abstract
Objective of the Study: To study the different methods used for DSH and precipitating factors
Materials and Method: The present study was conducted in the department of emergency medicine in
St John’s Hospital, Bengaluru. 337 individuals who were brought to the emergency department with an
alleged history of DSH and were stable after medical management were selected for the study. Subjects
were assessed using the structured questionnaire and a thorough history. Group differences for categorical
variables were examined with fissure exact test.
Results: Analysis revealed that 60.5% of DSH cases were in the age group of 18-30 years, 54.3% were
females, 37.7% of family problems, 42.1% preferred drug over dosage, 10.7% in February and17.8% on
Mondays.
Interpretation & Conclusion: Young adults were the most vulnerable group. Singles outnumbered all
others. Nuclear family and urbanization proved to be risk factors. Most of them attempted DSH because of
family problems and most attempted at home. Drug overdose was the most preferred method.
