A comparison of non-fatal self-poisoning among males and females, in Sri Lanka

Non-fatal self-poisoning is a challenging problem facing Sri Lanka, as well as other South Asian countries [1, 2]. Previously, the commonest method of selfpoisoning in Sri Lanka was by ingestion of pesticides, and rates were equal or higher in males compared to females [3, 4]. This gender ratio contrasted with international studies which report higher rates of attempted suicide by drug overdoses among females [5], but was consistent with the reports from other developing countries where the gender ratio for non-fatal self-poisoning by pesticide ingestion is roughly 50/50 [6-11]. However, this gender pattern now appears to be changing in Sri Lanka, with more women being admitted to hospital as a result of the ingestions of medicines and other substances [12, 13]. Similar patterns of change have been reported in other countries in the Asian regions such as Pakistan and Vietnam [14, 15]. With increasing urbanization, patterns of non-fatal self-poisoning in Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries may be changing to resemble that of developed countries, accompanied by an increasing proportion of attempted suicides among females [1215].