Deliberate self-poisoning in Oman
Zaidan, Z.A.J.; Burke, D.T.; Dorvlo, A.S.S.; Al-Naamani, A.; Al-Suleimani, A.; Al-Hussaini, A'Adin.; Al-Sharbati, M.M.; Al-Adawi, S.
Tropical Medicine and International Health Tm and Ih 7(6): 549-556
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1360-2276 PMID: 12031079 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2002.00887.xDocument Number: 242377
To describe the demographics, precipitating factors, substances and methods used for deliberate self-harm in Oman. Data were extracted from the Accident and Emergency (A & E) records of patients treated at the A & E units in Muscat from 1993 to 1998. Data were obtained form the history, and clinical findings resulting form deliberate self-harm. During the 5-year study period, 123 persons presented to various hospitals in the Muscat area with injuries that resulted form deliberate self-harm. Most of these cases were women, students and unemployed. There was a high incidence of family, marital and psychiatric or social problems. The methods of self-harm were most often analgesics (such as paracetamol) and non-pharmaceutical chemicals. The rate of self-injurious behaviour is low in Oman, compared with other countries, including other Islamic countries. The data illustrate a rising rate and a tendency to ingest toxic doses of analgesics or non-pharmaceutical chemicals.