J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2019 Apr;30(2):155-165. 10.0000/jksem.2019.30.2.155.

Analysis of risk factors affecting a suicidal attempter exposing suicidal intensions for the development of the active intervention strategy for suicide prevention

• Kim JM
• Lee HJ
• Ju GW
• Kim SC
• Jeon HJ
• Park GJ
• In YN
• Kim H
• Lee SW

• KMID: 2447768
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2019.30.2.155

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study examined the clinical characteristics of suicide attempters who exposed their suicidal intension to suggest an active intervention strategy for suicide prevention based on the regional emergency medical service system.
METHODS
A prospective database of suicide attempters who visited the emergency department of Chungbuk National University Hospital between October 2013 and December 2017 was used. All of the adult patients who provided consent for the initial assessment for suicidal attempters were eligible, excluding cases with unknown exposure of suicidal intension. The primary and secondary endpoints were the risk factors affecting exposure to the suicidal intension and characteristics of the exposure group. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of exposure to suicidal attempts after adjusting for potential confounders was calculated.
RESULTS
Of a total 1,035 suicidal attempters enrolled, 332 (32.1%) were included in the exposure group. The exposure group was more likely to have an educational level above high school and no religion, and have suicidal characteristics at night time (18:00-08:00), under the influence of alcohol, suicidal plan before 1 week, and suicidal method involving asphyxia (P<0.05). The exposure group was more likely to have no guardian (AORs, 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-2.12), use methods involving asphyxia (AORs, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.46-2.91), and attempt suicide at night (18:00 to 08:00) (AORs, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.05-1.83) compared to the no exposure group.
CONCLUSION
Models need to be established, where regional mental health welfare center, local government, fire headquarter, and tele-communication companies can participate in the implementation of an active intervention strategy.

Keyword

Attempted suicide; Suicidal ideation; Emergency medical services; Prevention and control

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asphyxia
Chungcheongbuk-do
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Service, Hospital
Fires
Humans
Local Government
Mental Health
Methods
Odds Ratio
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors*
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide*
Suicide, Attempted