Abstract
BackgroundSuicide is among the top causes of adolescent mortality worldwide. While correlates of suicidal behavior are better understood and delineated in upper-income countries, epidemiologic knowledge of suicidal behavior in low-income countries remains scant, particularly in the African continent. The present study sought to add to the epidemiologic literature on suicidal behavior in Africa by examining the behavioral correlates of suicide attempts among Malawi adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a nationally-representative sample extracted from publically-available data was conducted. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to discern associations between suicide attempts and a host of behavioral variables. 2225 records were included in the study.ResultsAt the multivariate level, suicide attempters had significantly higher odds of being anxious, being physically bullied, having sustained a serious injury and having a greater number of lifetime sexual partners. Alcohol use (at an early age and within the past 30 days) was also associated with suicide attempts.ConclusionsThese findings have the potential to guide public health interventions geared toward suicide prevention in Africa and other, similar regions, as well as provide the impetus for future epidemiologic studies on suicidal behavior in low-income countries.
Highlights
Suicide is among the top causes of adolescent mortality worldwide
Suicidal ideation was reported by 12.8 % of respondents (Males: 39.2 %, Females: 60.8 %; p-value: < 0.01) while suicidal planning was reported by 20.7 % (Males: 39.6 %, Females: 60.4 %; < 0.01) in the past 12 months
In the past 12 months, involvement in physical fights was reported by 20.7 % of suicide attempters; 38.4 % reported having been physically attacked; while 52.5 % reported having sustained a serious injury during a 12 month period
Summary
Suicide is among the top causes of adolescent mortality worldwide. While correlates of suicidal behavior are better understood and delineated in upper-income countries, epidemiologic knowledge of suicidal behavior in low-income countries remains scant, in the African continent. Suicide ideation, which can range from thoughts of suicide to the actual planning of a suicide attempt, has a Studies among adolescents in low- and upper-middle income countries present a general trend of higher suicide ideation in low-income countries (LIC) compared. Poverty and reduced opportunities for self-determination are among the myriad of factors which have shown to be associated with adolescent suicidal behaviors [11]. These factors are pronounced in LICs. Even in more affluent settings such as the USA, an individual’s socio-economic standing relative to others strongly influences their mental health [12, 13]
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