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

Introduction: Domestic violence is a key risk factor for suicidal behaviour. While there is some evidence on the association between suicide and victimisation, there is a notable paucity of evidence pertaining to the perpetration of domestic violence and its association with suicidal behaviour. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between domestic violence (victimisation and perpetration) and self-poisoning in Sri Lanka.

Methods and analysis: This is a hospital-based case-control study. Cases (n=260) will be individuals admitted to the toxicology ward of the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, for medical management of self-poisoning. We will recruit controls (n=520) from other patients with unrelated conditions or accompanying visitors presenting to the outpatient department of Teaching Hospital Peradeniya. We will use unconditional logistic regression models to investigate the association between domestic violence and self-poisoning.

Ethics and dissemination: We obtained ethics approval from the Ethical Review Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. The research assistants will be trained in administering the questionnaire and ensuring participant safety. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed articles, local media and at national and international conferences.