J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2014 Dec;25(6):764-770. 10.0000/jksem.2014.25.6.764.

Comparison between Natives and Foreigners who Visited an Emergency Center due to Suicidal Attempt

• Sung MK
• Choi HY
• Kang GH
• Jang YS
• Ohk TG
• Kim WJ
• Kim YY
• Lee YJ
• Park SM
• Cho Y

• KMID: 2101255
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2014.25.6.764

Abstract

PURPOSE
In an effort to determine the characteristics of foreign suicides who visit an emergency center, this study analyzed suicidal attempt between natives and foreigners.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1,218 Korean and 149 foreign suicidal attempters who visited a regional emergency center from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. We compared two groups according to age, sex, selected suicidal methods, past psychiatric history, medical examination and treatment acceptance, elapsed time to visit an emergency center after suicidal attempt, emergency center residence time, and hospitalization period.
RESULTS
No difference in medical exam acceptance and tetanus vaccination was observed between the two groups. However, we found a difference in hospitalization acceptance. The prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders was lower in foreign suicides, and the refusal rate of psychiatric treatment was higher in foreign patients.
CONCLUSION
In foreign suicides, social support including finance is required for easy access to health care service. In addition, more active interdisciplinary cooperation with the department of psychiatry and close observation is needed.

Keyword

Foreigners; Suicide; Social support

MeSH Terms

Disulfiram
Emergencies*
Emigrants and Immigrants*
Health Services Accessibility
Hospitalization
Humans
Population Groups*
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Suicide
Tetanus
Vaccination
Disulfiram