Profile differences between overdose and non-overdose suicide attempts in a multi-ethnic Asian society.
BACKGROUND
This study explores differences in characteristics of overdose (OD) and non-overdose (NOD) suicide attempts in Singapore.


METHODS
Four hundred eighty-five medical records of people who attempted suicide were extracted from a local general hospital patient database and classified into OD and NOD groups. Differences in socio-demographic factors, suicide characteristics and hospital admission types between both groups were examined.


RESULTS
Indians were more likely than the Chinese and Malays to employ OD method in their attempts. More suicide attempts in the OD group than NOD group were self-reported. The most likely place for suicide attempts for both groups was at home, though more NOD suicide attempts were in public areas as compared to the OD group. Analgesics were the most used substance in the OD group. Those who attempted suicide using OD had a higher number of psychiatric ward admissions than the NOD group. Risk and protective factors varied between both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in socio-demographics, suicide characteristics and admission characteristics between OD and NOD groups were observed. Recommendations for suicide prevention in the community are discussed. Further studies on the mediators and moderators of these trends and characteristics of suicide attempts are necessary to ensure maximal efficacy of prevention and management.
Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 9, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119 228, Singapore. su_hui_ho@nuhs.edu.sg.
Cyrus S H
CS
Ho
Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 9, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119 228, Singapore.
Y L
YL
Ong
Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 9, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119 228, Singapore.
Gabriel H J
GH
Tan
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
S N
SN
Yeo
Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 9, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119 228, Singapore.
Roger C M
RC
Ho
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000523:psychology*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012846:Singapore; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*
Asian; Multi-ethnic; Non-overdose; Overdose; Suicide attempts