Suicide and Violence against Women in Azerbaijan: Risk Factors and Barriers for Seeking Mental Healthcare

Abstract

Background: Azerbaijan is ranked among the 3 countries with the highest rates of suicide in the Muslim world, and rates are increasing. Violence against women is an equally alarming public health issue in Azerbaijan. A scarcity of data has limited accurate identification of risk factors for suicide and violence against women and barriers to help-seeking. This study aims to address this gap.Method: Thirty (30) in-depth qualitative interviews with women in the community and 4 semi-structured focus groups with key informant groups (mental health providers (psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists), teachers, and survivors of suicide) were held to examine perspectives regarding suicide and violence against women in Azerbaijan. A mixed method was employed using quantitative analysis and thematic content analysis. Thirty (30) of interviews were conducted and 4 of focus groups were held (see table 1).Results: Employed participants were more likely to consider suicide a problem compared to unemployed participants (p=.05); unemployed participants were more likely to view treatment as acceptable compared to employed participants (p=.05). Additionally, older participants were more likely to view both suicide (p=.03) and violence against women (p=.026) as significant problems facing the country. The majority of participants viewed suicide (83%) and violence against women (73%) as problems in Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, 33% reported negative stereotypes regarding suicide and mental healthcare and 50% reported psychological treatment as unaccepted in Azerbaijan.Conclusion: Suicide and violence against women are recognized problems for women in Azerbaijan. Stigma against mental illness is high and the mental healthcare system remains disproportionately institutionalized and under-funded. This highlights the need for building mental health workforce capacity and promoting advocacy efforts addressing policies regarding the allocation of funding for mental healthcare. Key recommendations for such programming are presented.