title: Postcards in Persia: A Twelve to Twenty-four Month Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial for Hospital-Treated Deliberate Self-Poisoning.
abstract: This study reports the outcomes, during follow-up, of a low-cost postcard intervention in a Randomized Control Trial of hospital-treated self-poisoning (n = 2300). The intervention was 9 postcards over 12 months (plus usual treatment) versus usual treatment. Three binary endpoints at 12-24 months (n = 2001) were: any suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or self-cutting. There was a significant reduction in any suicidal ideation (RRR 0.20 CI 95% 0.13-0.27), (NNT 8, 6-13), and any suicide attempt (RRR 0.31, 0.06-0.50), (NNT 35, 19-195), in this non-western population. However, there was no effect on self-cutting (RRR -0.01, -1.05-0.51). Sustained, brief contact by mail may reduce some forms of suicidal behavior in self-poisoning patients during the post intervention phase.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hassanian-Moghaddam
authors.forename: Saeedeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarjami
authors.forename: Ali-Asghar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kolahi
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000072439:Postcards as Topic; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: deliberate self-harm; follow-up studies; poisoning; postcards; reminder systems; suicide