Abstract
Abstract The study examined rural folks’ perception of suicide drivers in rural communities of Delta state, Nigeria and the resultant implications for societal and agricultural security. The objectives of the study are to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, ascertain the perceived suicide rates in rural households; identify the main causes (or drivers) of suicide in rural communities, ascertain the means of committing suicide, and determine respondents’ perception of the effect of suicide on agricultural production and their families. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used in composing 351 respondents who furnished information on suicide situation in the study area. Results indicated some cases of suicide in the area; several perceived suicide drivers were identified by the respondents, and the respondents identified some perceived deleterious effects of suicide as illness among family members, depression of surviving members, loss of income and output of agricultural production and scattering of family of suicide victim. Logistic regression of relationship between perceived social economic characteristics and suicidal death indicated that marital status, education, family size, family income, membership of association and extension contact were significant in preventing suicide. From the findings, it was recommended that all stakeholders including the government, private sector, religion organizations, health and welfare institutions, rural communities, and individuals have crucial role to play in curbing suicidal deaths in rural communities.
Highlights
In spite of the fact that Nigeria depends heavily on the oil industry for its revenues, the country relies predominantly on agriculture
The following questions arise: What are the socio-economic characteristics of rural households in Delta State, Nigeria? Are there any suicide cases in these rural households? What are rural folks perceived main causes of suicide in these households? By what means do those who committed suicide take their lives? What is rural folks’ perception of the effect of suicide on agricultural production, family of the deceased and the community at large? The objectives of the study are to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; ascertain the perceived suicide rates in rural households; identify the perceived main causes of suicide in rural communities; ascertain the means of committing suicide; and determine respondents’ perception of the effect of suicide on agricultural production and their families
In rural areas of Delta State, people looked at those who are not married as miscreants or irresponsible people
Summary
In spite of the fact that Nigeria depends heavily on the oil industry for its revenues, the country relies predominantly on agriculture. About 50% of Nigerians live in rural areas (Nwajiuba 2017), most of this population being farmers facing one form of challenge. The pressures faced by farmers and other rural dwellers are likely to continue and even become more severe (McCann 2014). What stands out is that it is most often a combination of numerous issues that brings about serious problems for rural dwellers and leads to individuals and families feeling helpless and exposed (McCann 2014). As a result, this may lead to hopelessness among farmers
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