Suicide attempts during pregnancy in South Africa
Abstract
Background: Research on suicide attempts during pregnancy is limited as these are considered to be rare in the perinatal period.
Aim: A retrospective pilot study was undertaken to establish what percentage of suicide attempters admitted to a hospital were pregnant and to identify their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.
Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Durban, South Africa.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of all female patients admitted following suicide attempts over a period of 1 year. Clinical and sociodemographic data of pregnant suicide attempters were extracted.
Results: Of 27 charts reviewed, 33% (n = 9) patients were pregnant at the time of the attempt. V Code diagnoses predominated, followed by major depressive disorder. Past psychiatric diagnoses and suicide attempts were also present
Conclusion: Suicide attempts during pregnancy are not rare. Pregnant women should be routinely screened for prior suicide attempts, depression and stressors as part of perinatal assessments.
http://www.sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/pages/view/policies#part_4
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