Psychosocial Factors Behind Deliberate Self-Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) is an important cause of hospital admissions and subsequent mortality. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in a tertiary-level teaching hospital situated in the northeastern part of Bangladesh to analyze the psychosocial factors responsible for DSP. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out among patients with DSP admitted to the medicine ward from January to December 2017, irrespective of gender, except for cases involving poisoning due to spoiled food, food contaminated by infectious organisms, poisoning by venomous animals, and street poisoning (commuter or travel-related poisoning). Consultant psychiatrist in accordance with the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder - IV (DSM-IV) confirmed psychiatric disorders. Data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for social sciences) version 16.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results: Total 100 patients were enrolled. Among them, 43% were male and 57% were female. The majority (85%) of the patients were young, aged below 30 years. The mean age of male patients was 26.2 years and that of females was 21.69 years. Most of the DSP patients were from the lower economic class (59%). The population sample was remarkable for students (Prevalence 37%). The highest percentage of patients (33%) had their educational status at the secondary level. The common reasons for DSP were a family problem in 31% patients, quarrel with boy/girlfriend in 20%, quarrel with a spouse in 13%, quarrel with parents or other family member in 7%, failure in examination in 6%, poverty in 3%, and unemployment in 3%. Prescription medication was the most common poison material (38%), followed by insecticides (36%), household cleaners (17%), and rodenticides (8%). Seven (7%) patients reported previous deliberate self-harm events and co-morbid psychiatric disorder was present in 30% patients among them major depressive disorder was found in 60%, and schizophrenia in 23.3% cases. Conclusion: DSP remains a problem mainly for the young with gender ratio-favoring females. The majority of DSPs were educated up to secondary level, unmarried, residents of rural areas, student, and belonged to the lower class. Familial disharmony and quarrel with spouse or friends were the common reason behind DSP. Prescription medication and insecticides were commonly used for DSP. Psychiatric disorders, primarily depressive disorder, and schizophrenia were common in cases of DSP.