Self-confidence and knowledge of suicide assessment and prevention amongst first-line health professionals in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.

Adeyinka A Alabi

doi:10.4102/safp.v64i1.5377

Abstract

BackgroundFirst-line health professionals are uniquely positioned to recognise suicidal behaviours in patients. However, the opportunities are often missed or poorly managed. Self-confidence and knowledge of suicide prevention and assessment by health professionals can lead to prompt recognition and management of at-risk individuals. This study evaluates the first-line health professionals’ self-confidence and knowledge of suicide assessment in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), South Africa.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in six healthcare facilities across NMBM between January 2020 and March 2020. Five hundred first-line healthcare professionals were recruited to respond to a validated self-administered questionnaire to collect demographic characteristics, self-confidence levels and knowledge of suicide assessment and associated factors.ResultsA total of 344 first-line health professionals completed the questionnaire (68.8% response rate); 40% of the respondents work in emergency units and 77.3% reported frequent encounters with patients who attempted suicide. Most participants had not received suicide assessment training during their undergraduate or postgraduate years (59.6% and 81.1%, respectively). They also lacked adequate knowledge and self-confidence in suicide assessment. Younger age, minimal work experience and attendance of two or more hours of suicide prevention training were associated with higher knowledge of suicide assessment.ConclusionFindings revealed gaps in self-confidence and knowledge of suicide management, attributed to lack of training in suicide management. Health authorities should prioritise upskilling of front-line workers in suicide prevention and assessment, specifically targeting older nurses in the region.

Highlights

Worldwide, suicidal behaviour is a major public health concern, with an estimated 800 000 people having died by suicide and many more attempting suicide every year.[1]
This study aimed to evaluate the first-line healthcare professionals’ knowledge and self-confidence in conducting suicide assessments
This study shows that the majority of first-line healthcare professionals do not have sufficient knowledge of suicide assessment

Summary

Introduction

Suicidal behaviour is a major public health concern, with an estimated 800 000 people having died by suicide and many more attempting suicide every year.[1]. The World Health Organization (2012) identifies suicide as a preventable death if all the stakeholders play their role.[6] In the majority of persons who died by suicide, there had been windows of opportunity open to first-line healthcare workers to interrupt the suicidal process but these were often missed or improperly managed.[7] First-line healthcare professionals (nurses, general practitioners, family physicians, emergency department staff and clinical associates) are well placed to assist persons with occult suicidal behaviour through routine screening at the primary health centres. Selfconfidence and knowledge of suicide prevention and assessment by health professionals can lead to prompt recognition and management of at-risk individuals. This study evaluates the first-line health professionals’ self-confidence and knowledge of suicide assessment in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), South Africa

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Discussion

Conclusion