A Prevalence Survey on Attempted Suicides and Suicidal Deaths in a Selected Rural Area of Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Now-a-days suicide has become a significant public health problem all over the world. It is like a silent parasite of society. With a view to assess the community prevalence of attempted suicide and suicidal deaths a study was conducted among 181 respondents in Muradpur, Sadar, Dinajpur. Concerning National benefits, we have to grow awareness about the issue. Objectives: To assess the community prevalence, high risk groups, causes and process of attempted suicide and suicidal deaths in an area of Bangladesh. Method: This is a cross sectional type of descriptive study conducted in Muradpur, Sadar, Dinajpur from 21th October to 31th October, 2023.The sample size was 181 and convenience sampling technique was used for data collection. Results: This study showed that about 87.8% of the total respondents were literate and regarding occupation, maximum 45.9% female respondents were housewives and 18.8% were engaged in agriculture. Socio-economic status revealed that three-fourths of them were earning around 15,000 Taka monthly. About half of the totalrespondents thought that suicide is religiously prohibited and 34.8% thought that it is not good to commit suicide. In this area about three-fourths of people did not receive any health education regarding suicide prevention. Around 98.34% respondents avoided the thought of suicide and only 1.66% had somehow thought of committing suicide. The study found 16(8.8% of total respondents) cases of suicide, where 7 (3.9% of total respondents) were male and 9 (4.9% of total respondents) were female. Regarding age, maximum 8 (50%) people who committed suicide were more than 50 years old, one-fourths of them had a history of mental disorder and 6 (37.5%) people were attempted suicide previously. Majority of them committed suicide followed by family problem (37.5%) and long-term physical or mental disability (25%). Around 50% of total suicidal cases were conducted by hanging and 43.75% by poisoning. The study found that 50% of individuals who committed suicide were immediately transferred to hospital for treatment. Conclusion: The main reasons for suicide were illiteracy and family problems. Although, majority of the villagers thought that the real reason behind it is lack of religious knowledge. Family and social education will be beneficial for preventing suicide.