Association of psychiatric morbidity with cases of attempted suicide in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults worldwide. The number of suicides in India during the last decade has recorded an increase of 25.0%. Suicide attempt rates are found to be higher than rates for completed suicides. Aim: This study is aimed to evaluate the socio demographic profile and psychiatric morbidity in attempted suicide patients. Settings and Design: The study was conducted in the Agartala Govt. Medical College & GBP Hospital, Agartala, Tripura. The samples for the study were recruited from those who admitted to different departments of AGMC and GBP hospital. These patients were interviewed within the first week of their admission. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria sample were included in the study. Materials and Methods: This study assesses the various socio-demographic correlates, the method adopted and the psychiatric disorders in patients with attempted suicide. The tools used were: a) informed consent form, b) proforma for socio demographic datac) MINI plus (mini international neuropsychiatric interview, d) ICD 10 Diagnostic criteria for diagnosis of psychiatric illness. e) Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS- 20. Results: The prevalence of suicidal attempt was high among males with psychiatric illness, whereas more female suicide attempters were without psychiatric illness. The most common psychiatric illnesses were found to be mood disorders (n=23) and dissociative disorders (n=14) as per the ICD-10 criteria. Family type, economic status and religion appears to be playing non-significant role in suicide attempt in this part of the country whereas age, sex, locality, occupation, educational status, Marital status, family history ,past suicidal attempt, mode of suicidal attempt and psychiatric illnesses are playing important role in suicide attempt. Other demographic variables, though, were statistically non-significant, but, below 30 years of age group, low socio-economic status, low education and nuclear families were found to be more vulnerable factors for suicide. Conclusion: The presence of psychiatric morbidity was observed to confer a considerable risk of suicide. Attempted suicide now a day is the burning issue There is need for further study in Indian population using samples from different regions and cultures within the county.