Parasuicide and Suicide: Demographic Features and Changing Trend Among Cases in Hospital Sungai Bakap 2001-2005

This study was a retrospective case review of all parasuicide cases treated in Hospital Sungai Bakap, Malaysia & all suicides from the hospital mortuary from 2001-2005. A total of 189 cases of parasuicide were analysed. 72 percent of cases were females. As for suicide, the rates remained relatively unchanged at 5 per 100,000 population. The demographic characteristics of suicide differ from parasuicide as suicides were associated with higher percentage of males & individuals of Chinese ethnicity. There were 2 peaks in the age groups, 31-40 & 60+ years. There is a need to improve prevention & interventions. (14 refs.) JA