Introduction: Deliberate self-harm is one of the common psychiatric emergencies in medical practice. It has become a global health problem with rates increasing over time. This hospital based study may help in understanding the cause, methods and psychiatric comorbidities present in such patients. The aim of this study was to (i) study the relationship between major socio-demographic variables and deliberate self-harm (ii) evaluate methods and precipitating cause (iii) determine the nature and prevalence of psychiatric and personality disorders in deliberate-self harm patients.Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed on 200 cases of deliberate self-harm in a tertiary referral centre in Eastern Nepal by the data collected from the medical records of these patients. Various sociodemographic data and psychiatric comorbidities prevalent in them were analysed.Results: Majority of the suicide attempters (77%) were less than 35 years of age. The female-to-male ratio was 1.35:1. 76% of the patients had received formal education. Majority (73.5%) were married. By occupation, 38% were housewives and 25.5% were students. 72.5% of cases had consumed organophosphates/-chlorides. Interpersonal conflict (72%) was the major cause of DSH. ICD-10 psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 37% of cases and premorbid personality problems were present in 20% of cases. The most common diagnosis was adjustment disorder (13.5%) followed by mood disorder (11%).Conclusions: Majority of DSH cases were of younger generation. Psychiatric disorders and comorbid personality problems are common in DSH patients. This has important implications for proper assessment and management.Keywords: Deliberate self-harm; Organophosphorous; Para suicide; Psychiatric co-morbidities.

Background: Injuries are a focus of public health practice because they pose a serious health threat, occur frequently and are preventable. Injuries affect people of all ages and range from minor cuts and bruises to major catastrophes that take thousands of lives. Objectives: This paper aims to find out the prevalence of injuries and to study the various epidemiological factors related to the injuries in Dharan. Materials and methods: A sample of 1398 households was taken as study sample. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the 10% households from each 19 wards. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and information related to injuries to the persons suffered from injuries. Result: The prevalence of minor injury in Dharan was 3.5% per month. The injury was common in the age group, 40-49 years (4.6%) and majority of injured persons were farmers (6.9%). Home was the common place (55.6%) for the minor injury. Cut/stab (32.8%) was the most common types of minor injury. The prevalence of major injury was 0.7% per year and occurred more among 50-59 years age group (1.7%). The commonest place for major injury was at road (53.1%) and service holders were at more risk (1.4%). Falls from the height (46.9%) were the most common types of major injury. Conclusion: The injuries related to lifestyle profession and road traffic accidents (RTA) is the commonest burden revealed in the study sample. Promotion of safety and education for protection at work and safe driving can prevent the major socio-economic loss to the family and community at large. Key words: Minor injury; Major injury; RTA; Epidemiological factors. DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i4.2762 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.4 Issue 28, 402-407

The Nepal SOSAS study provides countrywide, population-based data on fall-injury prevalence in Nepal and has identified falls as a crucial public health concern. These data highlight persistent barriers to access to care for the injured and the need to improve trauma care systems in developing countries such as Nepal.

Close to 700,000 children in Nepal are estimated to need surgical consultation. Programs to address this should be developed alongside efforts by policy makers and donors to rectify the lack of care, bolster limited funds, and strengthen healthcare systems.

Background Injuries are already a substantial public Health problem all over the world and are expected to increase in the 211st Century. They are major causes of deaths and disability in the population and also involve high societal costs. Objectives This study was designed to assess the economic loss due to the injury and the disability days due to different types of injuries. Methods A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 1388 households from 19 wards. A detailed questionnaire was used to collect information related to injuries to the persons suffered from injuries including treatment obtained, cost of treatment (direct/indirect cost) and length of disability. Results Among the minor injured persons, majority (93.2%) did not spend any indirect cost. 36.7% of the major inured persons spent Nepalese rupees 10,001 to NRs 100,000 as direct treatment costs. But 50% spent less than 5000 NRs as indirect cost for major injury treatment. Maximum number (67.4%) of major injured persons had disability days of 31 to 90 days. Conclusion The high incidence of injuries, especially road traffic injuries, adds a huge economic burden to nation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i2.6283Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(2):27-30