Domestic violence perpetration, victimisation and self-poisoning in Sri Lanka: a protocol for a hospital-based case-control study.

Domestic violence is a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior, with a substantial body of evidence highlighting the association between suicide and victimization. However, there is a notable gap in research on the perpetration of domestic violence and its link to suicidal behavior. To address this knowledge gap, a hospital-based case-control study is being conducted in Sri Lanka to investigate the relationship between domestic violence, including both victimization and perpetration, and self-poisoning. The study aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of domestic violence and its impact on mental health, specifically suicidal behavior. The study will involve a total of 780 participants, comprising 260 cases and 520 controls. The cases will consist of individuals admitted to the toxicology ward of the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya for medical management of self-poisoning, while the controls will be recruited from patients with unrelated conditions or accompanying visitors presenting to the outpatient department of the same hospital. Unconditional logistic regression models will be used to analyze the association between domestic violence and self-poisoning. The research team has obtained ethics approval from the Ethical Review Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and will ensure participant safety through trained research assistants. The study's findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed articles, local media, and national and international conferences, contributing to a better understanding of the relationship between domestic violence and suicidal behavior in Sri Lanka. By exploring the intersection of domestic violence and self-poisoning, this study has the potential to inform prevention and intervention strategies, ultimately reducing the risk of suicidal behavior among individuals affected by domestic violence. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40180401/