Abstract
BackgroundThere is increasing evidence that patients with schizophrenia have high tendency to commit suicide. However, such an act is usually preceded by suicidal behaviours (or suicidality) such as suicidal ideations, suicidal intent, suicidal plans and suicidal attempt. If any of this suicidal behaviour spectrum is missed, then suicide results. In spite of the relevance of such behaviours in the management and prognosis of schizophrenia, there is a paucity of research on the patterns and correlates of suicidal behaviours amongst this population group in sub-Saharan Africa.AimThis study assessed the prevalence and pattern of suicidality and its relationship with certain sociodemographic and clinical variables.SettingThe study was conducted at the outpatient psychiatric clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos State.MethodsSuicidal behaviours were assessed amongst 160 randomly selected patients with schizophrenia over a six-month period. The prevalence, pattern and correlates of suicidal behaviour amongst them were also assessed. Data were collated and processed with the eighteenth version of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 18).ResultsAbout 43.1% of the participants exhibited suicidal behaviour. Of these, 5.8% exhibited suicidal plans whilst 75.4% attempted suicide. In terms of severity, one tenth (10%) of those who expressed suicidal behaviour exhibited severe suicidal tendencies. Participants who earned lesser income were more likely to exhibit suicidal behaviour. The same pattern was observed for medication adherence viz a viz suicidal behaviour.ConclusionsThe study brings to the fore the tendency of patients with schizophrenia to commit suicide, hence the need to screen for suicidal behaviour before suicide eventually occurs.
Highlights
Suicidality or suicidal behaviour can be expressed either as suicidal ideation, suicidal intent, suicidal plan or suicidal attempt.[1,2] Suicidal ideation, intent, planning and attempt are precursors to suicide
Suicide amongst patients with schizophrenia has been a significant area of concern in psychiatry
Meltzer and colleagues in their study found that approximately 50% of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder attempted suicide, whilst almost 10% of them died of suicide.[1]
Summary
Suicidality or suicidal behaviour can be expressed either as suicidal ideation, suicidal intent, suicidal plan or suicidal attempt.[1,2] Suicidal ideation, intent, planning and attempt are precursors to suicide. Suicide amongst patients with schizophrenia has been a significant area of concern in psychiatry. Meltzer and colleagues in their study found that approximately 50% of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder attempted suicide, whilst almost 10% of them died of suicide.[1]. There is increasing evidence that patients with schizophrenia have high tendency to commit suicide. Such an act is usually preceded by suicidal behaviours (or suicidality) such as suicidal ideations, suicidal intent, suicidal plans and suicidal attempt. If any of this suicidal behaviour spectrum is missed, suicide results. In spite of the relevance of such behaviours in the management and prognosis of schizophrenia, there is a paucity of research on the patterns and correlates of suicidal behaviours amongst this population group in sub-Saharan Africa
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Schedule a callMore From: The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa
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