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A new study, led by health researchers in Pakistan and supported by the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP), has revealed that poisoning is one of the most common methods of suicide in rural Pakistan.
Suicides are significantly underreported in Pakistan. Currently, there is no centralised system to record suicide cases, making it difficult to assess the true scale of the problem. Cultural taboos and stigmatization may also contribute to underreporting.
Previous studies of suicide in Pakistan have focussed on urban areas. This study aimed to fill a critical knowledge gap, examining suicide patterns in rural districts.
The study analysed data from all suspected suicide autopsies conducted in five districts of Punjab province between January 2018 and December 2022.
It found that poisoning was the most common method of suicide, responsible for 39% of cases. The most commonly used poison was a hair dye, followed by a highly hazardous pesticide that has already been banned in other countries due to its impact on human health.
In reporting their findings, the researchers highlighted the need for systematic data collection from all districts in Pakistan, leading to the development of a national suicide registry. This would help inform the development of an effective suicide prevention strategy.
The study findings were published in BMC Public Health. Professor Michael Eddleston, CPSP Director and co-author, said:
“These results are consistent with global findings, showing that self-poisoning is a leading cause of suicide in rural communities in low and middle-income countries.
“Deaths can be prevented by ensuring that dangerous chemicals are not readily available in moments of crisis or situational distress. This is achieved through regulation, including bans on highly toxic pesticides, an approach recommended by the World Health Organization.”
The paper ‘A retrospective five-year autopsy based studyof suicide in Punjab province of Pakistan’ is published in BMC Public Health.
Related articles and publications
BLOG: Pesticide self-poisoning in Pakistan: prevalence, challenges, and opportunities
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PUBLICATION: Suicides by pesticide ingestion in Pakistan and the impact of pesticide regulation [external link to publication]