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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentations to health services following self-harm:systematic review

Authors :
Steeg, Sarah
John, Ann
Gunnell, David J
Kapur, Nav
Dekel, Dana
Schmidt, Lena
Knipe, Duleeka
Arensman, Ella
Hawton, Keith
Higgins, Julian P T
Eyles, Emily
Macleod-Hall, Catherine I A
McGuinness, Luke
Webb, Roger T.
Source :
Steeg, S, John, A, Gunnell, D J, Kapur, N, Dekel, D, Schmidt, L, Knipe, D, Arensman, E, Hawton, K, Higgins, J P T, Eyles, E, Macleod-Hall, C I A, McGuinness, L & Webb, R T 2022, ' The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentations to health services following self-harm : systematic review ', BJPsych Open, vol. 221, no. 4, pp. 603-612 . https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.26.22269901, https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2022.79
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence on the impact of the pandemic on healthcare presentations for self-harm has accumulated rapidly. However, existing reviews do not include studies published beyond 2020.AimsTo systematically review evidence on presentations to health services following self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodA comprehensive search of databases (WHO COVID-19 database; Medline; medRxiv; Scopus; PsyRxiv; SocArXiv; bioRxiv; COVID-19 Open Research Dataset, PubMed) was conducted. Studies published from 1 January 2020 to 7 September 2021 were included. Study quality was assessed with a critical appraisal tool.ResultsFifty-one studies were included: 57% (29/51) were rated as ‘low’ quality, 31% (16/51) as ‘moderate’ and 12% (6/51) as ‘high-moderate’. Most evidence (84%, 43/51) was from high-income countries. A total of 47% (24/51) of studies reported reductions in presentation frequency, including all six rated as high-moderate quality, which reported reductions of 17–56%. Settings treating higher lethality self-harm were overrepresented among studies reporting increased demand. Two of the three higher-quality studies including study observation months from 2021 reported reductions in self-harm presentations. Evidence from 2021 suggests increased numbers of presentations among adolescents, particularly girls.ConclusionsSustained reductions in numbers of self-harm presentations were seen into the first half of 2021, although this evidence is based on a relatively small number of higher-quality studies. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries is lacking. Increased numbers of presentations among adolescents, particularly girls, into 2021 is concerning. Findings may reflect changes in thresholds for help-seeking, use of alternative sources of support and variable effects of the pandemic across groups.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Steeg, S, John, A, Gunnell, D J, Kapur, N, Dekel, D, Schmidt, L, Knipe, D, Arensman, E, Hawton, K, Higgins, J P T, Eyles, E, Macleod-Hall, C I A, McGuinness, L & Webb, R T 2022, ' The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentations to health services following self-harm : systematic review ', BJPsych Open, vol. 221, no. 4, pp. 603-612 . https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.26.22269901, https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2022.79
Accession number :
edsair.od......2642..b6aa487dac07213bb374677510df349f