Trends in self-harm in Kuala Lumpur, 2005–2011

Armitage, C. J., Abdul Rahim, W., Rowe, R. and O'Connor, R. C. (2016) Trends in self-harm in Kuala Lumpur, 2005–2011. Archives of Suicide Research, 20(1), pp. 22-28. (doi: 10.1080/13811118.2015.1004493) (PMID:26649775)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Connor, Professor Rory
• Authors: Armitage, C. J., Abdul Rahim, W., Rowe, R., and O'Connor, R. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Archives of Suicide Research
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1381-1118
• ISSN (Online): 1543-6136
• Published Online: 09 December 2015
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 International Academy for Suicide Research
• First Published: First published in Archives of Suicide Research 20(1): 22-28
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy