Choice of poisoning agent and self-reported reasons for attempted suicide - A retrospective study

Suicide, a tragic loss of life, is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, presenting a significant challenge to public health efforts globally. The prevalence of suicide, particularly due to pesticide self-poisoning in rural areas of low and middle-income countries, underscores its significant impact. Despite efforts to understand suicide, little is known about the diverse range of poisoning agents used and the socioenvironmental factors surrounding their selection. To study sociodemographic profile, choice of poisoning agent, and self-reported reasons for attempted suicide. This was a retrospective observational study. All the case records of patients admitted for attempted suicide by oral poisoning in a tertiary care hospital were accessed and assessed in detail regarding sociodemographic profile, choice of oral poisoning agent, and self-reported reasons for attempted suicide. The present study, comprising 146 cases of attempted suicide, revealed a predominant age group of 18-27 years, with a male majority and a high illiteracy rate. The agricultural sector, low socioeconomic status, and unmarried status were prevalent among the participants. Herbicides were the most commonly used poisoning agents, followed by insecticides. Immediate precipitants for suicide attempts were family quarrels. The findings of the current study align with previous research, indicating a vulnerable demographic of young, unmarried males from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The predominance of agricultural sector involvement underscores the accessibility of pesticides as suicide agents. Family conflict was cited to be the immediate precipitant for suicide attempt. Thus, addressing underlying sociodemographic stressors and regulating pesticide availability could mitigate suicide risk. Moreover, interventions targeting psychosocial support and coping strategies are crucial for preventing suicide attempts. This study presents insights into the choice of poisoning agents and self-reported motives in suicide attempts, shedding light on the underlying sociodemographic factors and immediate precipitants driving these behaviours.