Patterns and outcomes of individuals admitted at emergency units following intentional self-harm in Northern Uganda

Article Authors: Mark Mohan Kaggwa, Joan Abaatyo, Keneth Opiro, Margret Sikoti, Felix Bongomin

    • Abstract

    We retrospectively reviewed charts of 253 self-harming patients admitted to emergency units in Northern Uganda in 2021. Twenty-two (8.7%) died by suicide, especially due to organophosphate poisoning (n = 14, 63.6%). Regarding self-harm management, observed differences were noted in the type of hospital and the use of antidotes between public and private facilities. There is a need for more studies and a multisector approach to prevent and treat self-harm in Uganda.

    Bibliographical metadata

    Volume 4
    Issue No. 1
    ISSN PMID: 39586888 | PMCID: PMC11589079
    DOI 10.1007/s44192-024-00115-z
    Keywords
    Links https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39586888/
    Related Faculties/Schools
    Affiliation

    Mark Mohan Kaggwa1, 2, Joan Abaatyo3, 4, Keneth Opiro5, Margret Sikoti6, Felix Bongomin6, 7

    1 Forensic Psychiatry Program, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th, Hamilton, ON, L89 3K7, Canada.
    2 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McMaster University/St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th, Hamilton, ON, L89 3K7, Canada.
    3 Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, King Ceasor University, Kampala, Uganda. joandux@gmail.com.
    4 Department of Psychiatry, Uganda Christian University, Kampala, Uganda. joandux@gmail.com.
    5 Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda.
    6 Mary’s Hospital Lacor, Gulu, Uganda.
    7 Department of Internal Medicine, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu, Uganda.