Self-harm consultations during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic: study in four Argentine provinces

Authors

  • Daniela Emilce Bonanno Fundación H. A. Barceló, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Leandro Javier Ochoa Fundación H. A. Barceló, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Natalia Jimena Orzuza Ministerio de Salud de Entre Ríos, Argentina
  • Marina Fernández Instituto de Investigaciones, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Ana Paula Morra Fundación H. A. Barceló, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Joaquín Castro Valdez Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Florencia Maite Badano Autoridad de la Cuenca Matanza Riachuelo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Fernanda Ferrando Ministerio de Salud de Entre Ríos, Argentina
  • Silvina Virginia Bernasconi Hospital General de Agudos Cosme Argerich, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Martín Turriani Ministerio de Salud de Entre Ríos, Argentina
  • Claudia Simonini Hospital Neuropsiquiátrico Provincial, Ministerio de Salud de Córdoba, Argentina
  • Paula Duarte Ministerio de Salud de Entre Ríos, Argentina
  • Sara Ardila-Gómez Instituto de Investigaciones, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Keywords:

Suicide Attempt, Medical Emergency Services, Coronavirus Infections, Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on suicide behavior has been a matter of debate. Self-harm consultations to emergency departments are a way to analyze suicidal behavior. The objective was to describe and analyze self-harm consultations, comparing the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with secondary source analysis in three general hospitals and three neuropsychiatric hospitals from four Argentine provinces. Consultations reported in February, July and October over the analyzed period were considered for the study. Data gathered included sociodemographic variables and those related to the self-harm event. Relative frequencies and rates were used for the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 411 self-harm consultations were included in the analysis, 73% of them were from the pre-pandemic period. Consultation rates were higher in the pandemic period, with a particularly significant increase in neuropsychiatric hospitals. Referral to another facility was higher during the pandemic. Poisoning was the most frequently used mechanism in both periods, even though it diminished during the pandemic period, when the use of sharp objects increased. DISCUSSION: It is necessary to continue monitoring self-harm consultations, and the differences between demand to general and specialized neuropsychiatric hospitals.

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Published

29-06-2022

How to Cite

Bonanno , D. E. ., Ochoa , . L. J. ., Orzuza , . N. J., Fernández , M. ., Morra , A. P. ., Castro Valdez , . J. ., … Ardila-Gómez , S. . (2022). Self-harm consultations during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic: study in four Argentine provinces . Revista Argentina De Salud Pública, 14, e50. Retrieved from https://rasp.msal.gov.ar/index.php/rasp/article/view/784

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Section

Original Articles