Prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt: associations with psychiatric disorders and HIV/AIDS in post-conflict Northern Uganda.

James Mugisha,Davy Vancampfort,Ashraf Kagee,Herbert Muyinda,Stephen M Kiwuwa,Eugene Kinyanda,Peter Wandiembe

doi:10.4314/ahs.v16i4.20

Abstract

Research on the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempt, and cormorbid psychiatric disorders in post-conflict areas is still limited. We explored the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempt, associated psychiatric disorders and HIV/AIDS in post-conflict Northern Uganda, an area that experienced civil strife for over two decades. A total of 2400 respondents (aged 18 and above) and randomly selected in three districts (Gulu, Amuru and Nwoya), were interviewed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess for associations between suicidality (suicidal ideation and attempt) and psychiatric cormorbidities. The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt were 12.1 % and 6.2 % respectively. Suicidality was significantly (P<0.001) higher among respondents with major depressive disorder (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) = 9.5; 95%CI= 7.4, 12.1) and post-traumatic stress disorder (adjusted OR =2.4; 95%CI= 1.6, 3.6). Men had lower odds of ideating or attempting suicide compared to women (adjusted OR = 0.55; 95%CI: 0.38, 0.82). The prevalence rate of suicide ideation and attempt indicate a major public health problem in post-conflict Northern Uganda. Effective public mental health programs that that target both suicidality and psychiatric co-morbodities will be vital. Special attention should be given to women in post conflict Northern Uganda.

Highlights

Suicidal behaviour is a public health concern worldwide, affecting high, middle, and low income countries (World Health Organization (WHO), 2004; Corcoran et al, 2015)
Most of the risk factors for suicidal behaviour apply across different geographical areas, there are important contextual differences (Vijayakumar et al, 2005)
Little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of suicide across the African continent

Summary

Introduction

Suicidal behaviour is a public health concern worldwide, affecting high, middle, and low income countries (World Health Organization (WHO), 2004; Corcoran et al, 2015). Data from the WHO mortality database indicate that 85% of the world’s suicides occur in low and middle income countries (Krug et al, 2002) Despite this figure, little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of suicide across the African continent. Research on the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempt, and cormorbid psychiatric disorders in post-conflict areas is still limited. Aim: We explored the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempt, associated psychiatric disorders and HIV/AIDS in post-conflict Northern Uganda, an area that experienced civil strife for over two decades. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of suicide ideation and attempt indicate a major public health problem in post-conflict Northern Uganda. Prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt: associations with psychiatric disorders in post conflict Northern Uganda.

Objectives

Methods

Results