Deliberate self-harm prevention in the Sundarbans region need immediate public health attention.

Deliberate self-harm is a major public health problem. This study is aimed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics of both non-fatal and fatal deliberate self-harm cases admitted at the 13 block primary health centres of the Sundarbans region under South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. Retrospective deliberate self-harm data from the admission registers of 13 block primary health centres was collected for the year 1999. A total of 1850 deliberate self-harm cases (639 males and 1211 females) were admitted at the 13 block primary health centres, of which 159 (60 males, 99 females) were fatal (completed suicide). A higher fatality rate for male than female (9.4% compared to 8.2%) was observed. Women (65.5%), especially of younger age groups constituted the major cases. Poisoning (96.9%) was the commonest method of self-harm. Easy availability of pesticides was a common factor. Marital status and seasonal trend (March-April) had important contribution in self-harm incidents. Planned psychosocial intervention as a part of community mental health programme may help to reduce the deliberate self-harm morbidity and mortality at this primary care level.