Incidence and repetition of deliberate self-harm in three remote Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the incidence and repetition of deliberate self-harm (DSH) using data from a clinical file audit for the period 2006-2011 in three remote Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland. Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a global public health concern. It is the single most important risk factor for suicide (Cooper, et al., 2005) with a higher frequency over time associated with a greater acquired ability for suicide (Willoughby, et al., 2015). Therefore, understanding the incidence and repetition of DSH is crucial for services and practitioners concerned with the prevention of suicidal behavior (Perry, et al., 2012). Method: The study communities are located on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia. These communities are very remote, experience a similarly low sociodemographic ranking, and the great majority of the population are Indigenous Australians. A clinical file audit was performed at the primary health clinic in each community for the six year period from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2011. Presentations involving DSH were extracted and analysed to characterise the incidence and repetition of DSH in these communities