Abstract
BackgroundThe study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behaviour (SB) among adults in Malawi.MethodsData were analysed from 4187 persons aged 18–69 years (median age: 32 years) that took part in the nationally representative cross-sectional “2017 Malawi STEPS survey.”ResultsThe prevalence of ever suicide attempt was 0.8%, and the prevalence of SB (ideation, plan and/or attempt) in the past year was 7.9% (6.0% among men and 9.6% among women). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, among men, being 30 years and older and having an alcohol family problem were positively and obesity was negatively associated with SB in the past year. Moreover, in univariate analysis, early smoking initiation was positively and not using active transportation was negatively associated with SB in the past year. Among women, having an alcohol family problem, death from suicide of a close family member, having a cardiovascular incident (heart attack, stroke, or angina) and not using active transportation increased the odds of SB in the past year. In addition, in univariate analysis, low systolic blood pressure (< 100 mmHg), not taking antihypertensive medication, and current alcohol use were associated with past year SB.ConclusionAlmost one in ten participants engaged in SB in the past year and several associated factors were identified that can inform intervention programmes.
Highlights
The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behaviour (SB) among adults in Malawi
Measures Outcome variables included lifetime suicide attempt, SB in the past year, methods used for suicide attempts, and care seeking for SB [32]
Almost one in five participants (18.5%) were overweight/obese, 6.4% had a systolic blood pressure of < 100 mmHg, 5.6% were not taking antihypertensive medications, 1.7% had prediabetes and 1.3% had diabetes, 8.2% had raised total cholesterol, 6.5% had a history of angina, heart attack, or stroke, 0.5% initiated smoking early (≤ 14 years), 1.4% were current smokeless tobacco users, 5.0% had alcohol dependence, 90.4% had inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables, 8.0% did not engage in active transportation and 5.6% engaged in sedentary behaviour
Summary
Data were analysed from 4187 persons aged 18–69 years (median age: 32 years) that took part in the nationally representative cross-sectional “2017 Malawi STEPS survey.”. Data were analysed from adults that participated in the cross-sectional nationally representative “2017 Malawi STEPS survey” [32]. Based on a multistage cluster sample design, the “2017 Malawi STEPS Survey” produced nationally representative population-based data for persons 18–69 years in Malawi [32]. Measures Outcome variables included lifetime suicide attempt, SB in the past year (ideation, plan and attempt), methods used for suicide attempts, and care seeking for SB (questionnaire items are shown in Additional file 1) [32]. Psychosocial distress indicators were passive smoking, history of attempted suicide or death from suicide of a close family member, and alcohol family problems (details in Additional file 1) [32]
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