Description of cases of parasuicides reported at University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka. Zambia: preliminary findings

Abstract

Parasuicide has become a public health problem of importance. A sample size of 207 case records of patients was estimated considering a prevalence of 16+5% obtained in the project area, z=1.96 and margin of error of 5%. The case records were conveniently sampled. A total of 141 (68.1%) out of 207 records were reviewed of which 53.2% were for males. About a third of the cases were in the age group 20-24 years (35.0%), employed (33.1%) and students (28.8%). Most of the cases were married (47.9%), lived with their families (95.0%) and attained secondary level of education (79.9%). The most common reasons for parasuicide were domestic dispute, alcohol-related and psychiatric condition in that order. The most common methods used in parasuicide were organophosphate poisoning, drug overdose and acid poisoning. The common reasons and methods for parasuicide obtained in the current study may be considered in the care of parasuicides. Further studies should be conducted to establish factors associated with parasuicide.