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PREVALENCE OF MAJOR DEPRESSION IN DELIBERATE SELF-HARM INDIVIDUALS IN HARARE, ZIMBABWE
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of major depression in deliberate self-harm
individuals.
Design. A cross sectional descriptive study.
Setting. Three tertiary health care centres in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Subjects: Three hundred and eighty seven deliberate self-harm consecutive subjects were
recruited from July 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997 for this study. Diagnostic procedures
included complete medical history, physical and neurological examinations. The DSM-IV
criterion for major depression was used for the diagnostic purpose.
Main outcome measures: The prevalence of major depression, number of attempts and
recent life events, methods used, feeling in deliberate self-harm individuals.
Results: The prevalence of major depression was 20.7% (n=80, 95% CI= 16.7-24.2) according
to the DSM-IV criterion. Sixty-two percent (95% CI= 57.2-66.8) of the subjects with DSH
were aged <30 years. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between DSH subjects with
and without major depression related to age, education, life events and number of previous
attempts.
Conclusion: The most predictive factors associated with DSH risks are age, depression,
recent loss, divorced, loss of job and history of previous attempts. Further studies are needed
to address some causes of DSH.
individuals.
Design. A cross sectional descriptive study.
Setting. Three tertiary health care centres in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Subjects: Three hundred and eighty seven deliberate self-harm consecutive subjects were
recruited from July 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997 for this study. Diagnostic procedures
included complete medical history, physical and neurological examinations. The DSM-IV
criterion for major depression was used for the diagnostic purpose.
Main outcome measures: The prevalence of major depression, number of attempts and
recent life events, methods used, feeling in deliberate self-harm individuals.
Results: The prevalence of major depression was 20.7% (n=80, 95% CI= 16.7-24.2) according
to the DSM-IV criterion. Sixty-two percent (95% CI= 57.2-66.8) of the subjects with DSH
were aged <30 years. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between DSH subjects with
and without major depression related to age, education, life events and number of previous
attempts.
Conclusion: The most predictive factors associated with DSH risks are age, depression,
recent loss, divorced, loss of job and history of previous attempts. Further studies are needed
to address some causes of DSH.
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