SELF-INFLICTED FIREARM INJURIES AS COMPARED TO THE ACCIDENTAL FIREARM INJURY; A COMPARATIVE ANALYTICAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE COMMONEST SITE OF NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES

Abstract

Objective: To determine the commonest site of non-suicidal self-inflicted firearm wound in comparison with accidental firearm wounds.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospitals Jhelum, Bannu & Kharian, from Nov 2014 to Nov 2018.

Methodology: Sixty-four patients with firearm injuries were observed. All the participants were males between the ages of 18- 60 years. The injuries were determined to be either self-inflicted or accidental by an independent committee. The participants’ replies and responses were assessed by dividing them into five main domains by using quantitative software SPSS version 20. Variables involving demographic characteristics of participants such as age, occupation, marital and socioeconomic status, were associated with mental health variables such as psychological stress, previous history of self-harm and clinical psychiatric illness.

Result: Fifteen subjects were found to have self-inflicted injuries and 50 had accidental injuries. There was a marked preference for left foot and left lower limb as a site for non-suicidal self-inflicted injuries (94.6%) as compared to other sites (left upper extremity 1.8%, chest 1.8% and right lower extremity 1.8%).

Conclusions: Left lower limb and left foot was a more common site for self-injury as compared to the other sites.