Abstract Body

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DELIBERATE SELF-POISONING PRESENTING TO A REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Background

The prevalence of deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) in South Africa is not known due to poor record keeping in the majority of the health facilities across the country.

Aim

This study therefore, evaluated the demographic characteristics, substances abused, circumstances surrounding deliberate self-poisoning, patterns of presentation and clinical outcomes of patients presenting at the emergency department of Uitenhage Provincial Hospital.

Methods

A retrospective clinical audit of DSP attendances over one year period (1^st January – 31^st December 2014) was performed. Details regarding patients’ sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status, academic status, employment status and number of household), substances abused, precipitating factors for DSP and clinical outcomes were recorded on a specifically designed proforma.

Results

A total of 169 patients with diagnosis of deliberate self-poisoning were identified. DSP was commoner among women (74.6%) and young adults between ages 21-30 years (38%). The most frequently reported substances in DSP were analgesics (15.6%), anti-depressants (11.0%), anti-convulsants (8.4%) and antiretroviral drugs (6.5%). Despite delays of two or more hours to emergency department in the majority of cases (77.9%), only 27 patients had pre-hospital interventions. The length of hospital stay were categorised: less than 24 hours (44.0%), 24-72 hours (42.0%) and above 72 hours (14.0%). Family dysfunction, stressful relationships and marital disharmony are some of the precipitants of DSP.

Conclusion

This information may help identify the trends in substances used in self-poisoning in Uitenhage and its surrounding rural communities, which in turn may help clinicians with more focused and targeted interventions.