title: Trends in Self-Harm in Kuala Lumpur, 2005-2011.
abstract: Acts of self-harm are not routinely tracked in Malaysia. The present study investigates the prevalence of self-harm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, over a 7-year period. The aims were to: (a) assess the prevalence of self-harm; (b) examine any changes over a period of 7 years, and (c) identify correlates of methods of self-harm. Data were extracted from the hospital records of Kuala Lumpur Hospital to review trends in self-harm between 2005 and 2011. There were 918 episodes of self-harm across the 7-year period, with a significant peak in 2007-2009. The average rate of self-harm (7.7 per 100,000 population per year) was similar or lower than the rate of suicide (6-8 or 8-13 per 100,000) suggesting that genuine cases of self-harm are often attributed to other causes. Nevertheless, over-representation of young people, women and Indians suggest areas in which resources to prevent self-harm might usefully be targeted. Estimating rates of self-harm are fraught with problems and further research is needed to understand the economic and cultural barriers around seeking treatment for self-harm, reporting self-harm and classifying self-harm.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Armitage
authors.forename: Wirda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Abdul Rahim
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: Rory C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: O'Connor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D017678:Sex Distribution; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Kuala Lumpur; prevalence; self-harm; suicide