Psychiatric emergencies : Factors associated with suicide attempts

Abstract

Background: Among psychiatric emergencies, suicide attempt is a frequent reason for consultation. The magnitude of this phenomenon is not only related to its increasing frequency or life-threatening, but also to the psychosocial consequences of suicidal gesture both on the patient and his entourage.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of suicide attempts in psychiatric emergency department patients and to identify associated factors.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in the emergency department of Mahdia University Hospital during a three months period, including consultants for whom a psychiatric opinion was solicited. Regarding statistical analyzes, we studied associations between suicide attempt and sociodemographic, contextual, anamnestic and clinical variables.
Results: Forty-four suicidal patients were included, with a prevalence of 0.5% of all emergencies. The patients mean age was 26.6 years with a female predominance (sex ratio = 0.29). Self-induced intoxication was the most widely used method (93.2%). Reactional suicidal attempts accounted for 75%. Many factors were significantly associated with suicide attempts: young age, female gender, secondar y level of education, students, presence of trigger factor, family and personal history of suicide attempt and the provenance of the examination request from a physician.
Conclusion : This  study highlights  a particular  profile  of patients at  high  risk  of suicide,   a codified action is to begin, including all health care providers to prevent  its  occurrence. This primary prevention is only possible through  the  identification of  risk  factors  associated with it.