Prevalence of suicide ideation and its associated risk factors among undergraduate students of the university for development studies, Tamale

Abstract

BackgroundSuicide and its associated risk factors are of public health importance across the globe. The affected persons are mostly the youth. Empirical research in this crucial area of public health is generally lacking, especially among undergraduate university students in Ghana. This study sought to determine the prevalence of suicide ideation, and its associated risk factors that statistically predict suicide ideation among undergraduate students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted. A structured online questionnaire was used to elicit information on the prevalence of suicide ideation and its correlates. A systematic sampling technique was used to sample 400 respondents. Of this number, 53.25% were male and 46.75% were female. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26. Results were presented in charts, tables, and cross-tabulations. A regression analysis was also done to model suicide ideation with socio-demographic variables. Results: The prevalence of suicide ideation among participants was 24.5%. Significant risk factors for suicide ideation found in the study were academic stress and victimization. Suicide ideation was predicted with statistical significance by the presence of victimization (OR = 3), and academic stress (OR = 2). Conclusion: The prevalence of suicide ideation among participants is real and will need combined efforts of university management and, the counseling unit to put in place interventions that will help avert suicide ideation and its dreaded squeal of completed suicide.