A nationwide, population-based, long-term follow-up study of repeated self-harm in Taiwan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous follow-up studies of repeated self-harm show that the cumulative risk of repeated self-harm within one year is 5.7%-15%, with females at greatest risk. However, relatively few studies have focused on the Far East. The object...

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Main Authors: Chung Chi-Hsiang (Author), Lai Ching-Huang (Author), Chu Chi-Ming (Author), Pai Lu (Author), Kao Senyeong (Author), Chien Wu-Chien (Author)
Format: Book
Published: BMC, 2012-09-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous follow-up studies of repeated self-harm show that the cumulative risk of repeated self-harm within one year is 5.7%-15%, with females at greatest risk. However, relatively few studies have focused on the Far East. The objective of this study was to calculate the cumulative risk of repeated self-harm over different lengths of follow-up time (3 months, 6 months, and 1-8 years), to determine factors influencing repeated self-harm and to explore the interaction between gender and self-harm methods.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used self-harm patient who hospitalized due to first-time self-harm between 2000 and 2007 from 1,230 hospitals in Taiwan. Hospitalization for repeated self-harm among members of this cohort was tracked after 3 months, 6 months, and 1-8 years. Tracking continued until December 31, 2008. We analyzed the cumulative risk and risk factors of repeated self-harm by using negative binomial regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 39,875 individual study samples, 3,388 individuals (8.50%) were found to have repeatedly self-harmed. The cumulative risk of repeated self-harm within three months was 7.19% and within one year was 8%. Within 8 years, it was 8.70%. Females were more likely to repeatedly self-harm than males (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.15-1.76). The main method of self-harm was solid or liquid substances (RR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.23-2.04) or cutting or piercing (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02-1.82), and in patients with psychiatric disorders were more likely to self-harm (RR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.48-1.75).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The key time for intervention for repeated self-harm is within three months. Appropriate prevention programs should be developed based on gender differences.</p>
Item Description:10.1186/1471-2458-12-744
1471-2458