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Suicide and attempted suicide: the Rehoboth experience
Ndidi V Ikealumba1, Ian D Couper
1Yeppoon Medical Center, Rural Clinical Division, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. drvictor@bigpond.com.
Rural and Remote Health
|November 1, 2006
Summary
This study found that while emergency care for suicide attempts in Rehoboth was adequate, a lack of coordinated management for survivors is a significant gap. Improved recording systems are recommended for better tracking of suicidal activity in Namibia.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health Services Research
Background:
- St. Mary's Hospital in Rehoboth, Namibia, serves individuals with serious health concerns.
- The study aimed to describe the current approach to suicide management in the Rehoboth community.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the existing suicide management strategies at St. Mary's Hospital.
- To identify gaps in the care and reporting of suicide and attempted suicide cases.
Main Methods:
- Manual review of clinical charts from St. Mary's Hospital, Rehoboth.
- Analysis of patient records from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2001, focusing on suicide and attempted suicide cases.
Main Results:
- 45 suicide attempts/completed suicides occurred out of 12,910 patient visits.
- 51% of cases were admitted, 7% referred, and 42% treated as outpatients.
- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs were used in 63% of suicide attempts; HIV/AIDS was not associated with these cases.
Conclusions:
- Emergency care for suicide attempts was adequate, with no in-hospital deaths.
- A significant gap exists in the coordinated, multidisciplinary management of suicide attempt survivors.
- Recommendations include adopting standardized recording and reporting systems for suicide and attempted suicide in Namibia.
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