Impact of mood disorders and personality disorders on suicide intent among self-harm patients.

Objectives: The present research examined the impact of mood disorder and personality disorders on suicide intent among self-harm patients using cross sectional research design. Methods: A clinical sample of 220 self-harm inpatients with age of 18 to 35 years was collected through purposive sampling technique from different mental health departments of Rawalpindi, Jhelum and Multan hospitals. Study was conducted from June 2019 till November, 2021. Data was compiled in three steps. In step-I, rapport was established with patients and identification of intent was carried out by administering Beck Suicide Intent Scale. In step-II, mental illness was identified by administering Mood Disorder Questionnaire, Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire and subscale of Depression from Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. In step-III, in order to confirm his / her responses and diagnosis, a detailed semi-structured clinical interview was carried out with each participant who responded positively to Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire. Result: Results revealed that bipolar spectrum disorder, depression and antisocial personality disorder were significantly positive predictors of suicide intent among self-harm patients. On the other hand, narcissistic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder were found to be significantly negative predictors of suicide intent among self-harm patients. Conclusion: Results of current research highlighted those predisposing factors that discriminate self-harm from attempted suicide. The study has important implications for identification of intent of self-harm patients, which could help in devising a proper treatment plan for the management of such challenging patients.

Negative coping styles among individuals with cannabis use disorder and non-users - a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in negative coping styles used by individuals with cannabis use disorder and non-users. METHODS: The quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2016 to August 2017 at Foundation University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised individuals aged 15-34 years. Data was collected from drug rehabilitation and university students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The sample was divided into groups of cannabis users and non-users. Data was collected using the brief version of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 204 participants, 104(51%) were users with a mean age of 27±5.37 years and 100(49%) were non-users with a mean age of 25±5.65 years. The users scored higher at active avoidance coping compared to the non-users (p<0.05). The differences were non-significant in case of denial and religious coping (p>0.05). Active avoidance coping differed across individuals with mild, moderate and severe cannabis use disorder (p<0.05), while religious and denial coping did not (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Active avoidance coping was found to be an important characteristic in relation to cannabis use disorder.

Impact of perceived social support and parental bonding in predicting suicidal intent among self-harm patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of perceived social-support and parental bonding in predicting suicidal intent among self-harm patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Foundation University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from February to September 2019, and comprised self-harm patients from mental health department of different hospitals in Rawalpindi, Jhelum and Peshawar. Data was collected using multidimensional scale of perceived social support, parental-bonding instrument and the Beck suicide intention scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: There were 50 patients aged 18-35 years. Social support and parental bonding factor 'care' had significant negative correlation with suicide intent (p<0.05). Parental bonding factor 'overprotectiveness' had significant positive correlation with suicide intent (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Social support and parental bonding can both play substantial role in saving lives.

Relationship between clinical anger and suicidal ideation among people with physical disabilities.

The present research was intended to examine the association between suicidal ideation and clinical anger among people with physical disabilities. The purposive study was conducted at the Artificial Limbs Centre, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, from February 2016 to November 2016. The modified scale for suicidal ideation and clinical anger scale were used for data collection. The sample comprised 150 people with physical disabilities including 87 (56%) males and 63 (42%) females. The findings revealed that suicidal ideation had a significant relationship with clinical anger; it was also noted that clinical anger and suicidal ideation were significantly higher in females as compared to males. Furthermore, the results revealed that participants with spinal cord problems had higher mean scores, 26.10±9.25 on clinical anger, while suicidal ideation is higher in people with polio, 15.87±9.41, as compared to other physical disabilities.The study highlighted the need to develop and enhance mental and physical health.

Antibiotic prescription patterns for treating dental infections in children among general and pediatric dentists in teaching institutions of Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are regularly prescribed by dental professionals in their practice, for the purpose of dental treatment as well as for the prevention of infection. The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a significant factor in the rise of antibiotic resistance. There is an immediate need for the advancement of prescribing guidelines and instructive polices to encourage the rational and appropriate utilization of medications especially antibiotics in dentistry. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of antibiotic prescription for treating dental infections in children among dentists in teaching institutions of Karachi, Pakistan and whether they are adhering to the prescribed international guidelines. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three private and two public colleges of Karachi. After taking written informed consent and checking the inclusion criteria, a total of 380 participants were interviewed using a pre-designed validated questionnaire which included demographic profile and clinical case scenarios. Data were entered and analyzed on SPSS version 20. Inferential analysis was performed using chi-square test. The significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 380 subjects, a majority (71.3%) treated 15 or less children per month (n = 271) while 28.7% of dentists (n = 109) treated more than 15 children per month. Overall adherence to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines was low from 26.1% to 44.2%. The difference between adherence of dentists with low and high volume of pediatric patients was significantly different for case scenarios 1, 3, 4 and 5 (p<0.001 for all) where dentists who treated 15 or less children per month were more likely to be adherent to standard antibiotic prescription guidelines than those who treated more than 15 children per month. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that majority of dentists, particularly dentists with high volume of pediatric patients lacked adherence to professional guidelines for prescribing antibiotics for treating dental infection in children. There seem to be a lack of harmony between the recommended professional guidelines and the antibiotic prescribing pattern of dentists. Regular updates and continuing medical education for the health professionals regarding comprehensible and specific professional guidelines may lead to improved adherence of antibiotics prescription amongst dentists.