Effectiveness of Suicide Prevention Training Package on the Level of Knowledge about Suicide Risk Management

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide is the intentional action taken by a person to end his or her own life. It is a major public health and mental health problem. This study was an attempt to find out the effectiveness of suicide prevention training package on the level of knowledge about suicide risk management among general population at Thrissur. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge on suicide risk management before and after intervention, to compare the pretest and posttest level of knowledge of the people about the suicide risk prevention and management after giving suicide prevention training package and to associate the level of knowledge of the people in selected socio- demographic characteristics about the suicide risk prevention and management. Methodology: The study was conducted among 50 selected samples from 15 houses. The research design of the study was pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design and samples were selected using purposive sampling method. The knowledge regarding suicide risks, warning signs and risk management were assessed with help of questionnaire consisting 3 sections and a total of 25 questions and the socio-demographic variables were assessed with help of demographic profile. The tool and interventions were validated by 5 experts including one psychiatrist. Results: The findings show that out of 50 samples 21 samples (42%) were belongs to the age group of 18 to 34 years. 14samples (28%) belong to the age group of 35 to 49 years. 11 samples (32%) belongs to the age group of 50- 64 years and only 4 samples (8%) belong to >65 years. Most of the 21 persons were samples were females (32%), married (24%) and living in a nuclear family (46%). Majority of them were graduated (42%), about 34% completed secondary/higher secondary education, 20% completed primary education and 4% were illiterate. Most (44%) of them were unemployed, 26% were having a professional job and 22% were having a non- professional job and about 8%of them were retired. Majority (88%) of them was above poverty level and living in rural area (60%). 66% of them were suffering from medical related diseases, 10% were suffering from psychiatric illness and 18% were suffering from other illnesses. About 4% of them were having a family history of suicide. Among them 31 samples (62%) had moderate knowledge and only 2 of them (4%) had adequate knowledge and 12 of them (34%) had poor knowledge. Discussion: At the end of the study, investigator found that there is a significant increase in the level of knowledge of people after giving suicide prevention training package. And also found that there is no significant association exist between demographic variables and knowledge level of sample.