Influencing factors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among community residents in Beijing

Abstract

Objective To describe the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among community patients and their family members in Beijing. Methods Accidental sampling method was used in this cross-sectional study to select patients and their family members who visited a community healthcare center in Beijing from June to September 2008. The subjects were required to complete essential information questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to learn the risk factors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Results A total of 2791 valid questionnaires were collected, with a response rate of 90.0%. The participants included 1074 males and 1717 females with mean age(36.8±13.1)years old. The one-year prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt was 2.8%(77/2791)or 1.1%(30/2791), respectively. The one-year prevalence of suicidal ideation was significantly different among the subjects with different professions(χ2=12.512, P=0.006), negative events(χ2=53.287, P<0.001), family history of suicide(χ2=103.922, P<0.001), family history of psychiatry diseases(χ2=20.640, P<0.001), hopelessness(χ2=77.337, P<0.001), depression(χ2=135.918, P<0.001)and anxiety(χ2=70.303, P<0.001). The one-year prevalence of suicidal attempt was statistically different among the subjects with different professions(χ2=7.954, P=0.037), family history of psychiatry diseases(χ2=6.257, P=0.003), hopelessness(χ2=29.838, P<0.001), depression(χ2=21.352, P<0.001)and anxiety(χ2=10.014, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis found that the most important risk factors of suicidal ideation were depression(for mild, moderate and severe depression: odds ratio (OR) 2.38, 5.55 and 16.21, respectively; 95% confidence internal (CI) 1.07-5.31, 2.31-13.37 and 6.93-37.92, respectively), family history of suicide(OR=11.68, 95% CI 5.03-27.10), hopelessness(for mild, moderate and severe hopelessness: OR 3.65, 4.25 and 5.02, respectively; 95% CI 1.55-8.56, 1.70-10.65 and 1.46-17.26, respectively), negative life events(OR=2.25, 95% CI 1.35-4.45). The most important risk factors for suicide attempt were hopelessness(for mild, moderate and severe hopelessness: OR 1.09, 5.58 and 7.62, respectively; 95% CI 0.36-3.34, 2.03-15.30 and 1.50-38.72, respectively), depression(for mild, moderate and severe depression: OR 1.08, 0.27 and 3.02, respectively; 95% CI 0.43-2.75, 0.03-2.29 and 1.05-8.75, respectively)and family history of psychiatry diseases(OR=3.00,95%CI 1.07-8.46). Conclusions Hopelessness and depression could increase the risk of suicide behaviors. Family clinicians should be trained to identify such risk factors and provide appropriate mental health intervention. Key words: Suicide, attempted; Community medicine; Mental health