Skip to main content
Log in

Deliberate self-harm as seen in Kampala, Uganda

A case-control study

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

Objectives:

A study to investigate deliberate self-harm (DSH) in an African context was undertaken in Uganda.

Methods:

A case-control study in which 100 cases of DSH and 300 controls matched on age and sex were recruited from three general hospitals in Kampala and subjected to a structured interview using a modified version of the European Parasuicide Study Interview Schedule I.

Results:

Among the cases, 63% were males, with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1 and a peak age range of 20–24 years. Higher educational attainment, higher socio-economic class and poor housing were significantly associated with DSH. District of current residence, district of birth, religion, ethnicity, marital status, number of children, current living arrangement, area of usual residence, employment status of respondent and partner were not significantly associated with DSH. Pesticides and medications, mainly antimalarials and diazepam, were the main methods of DSH used. The most commonly reported psychiatric disorders were adjustment disorder, acute stress reactions and depression.

Conclusion:

DSH in Uganda appears to predominantly afflict the young. Disturbed interpersonal relationships, poverty and loneliness were important factors in the immediate precipitation of this behaviour. The fact that pesticide poisoning is still the predominantly used method in DSH in this area calls for a review of the legislation that controls the sale and availability of these agricultural chemicals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eugene Kinyanda.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kinyanda, E., Hjelmeland, H. & Musisi, S. Deliberate self-harm as seen in Kampala, Uganda. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39, 318–325 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0748-2

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0748-2

Key words

Navigation