Suicide ideation and psychosocial distress among refugee adolescents in Bidibidi settlement in West Nile, Uganda

Paul Bukuluki,Samuel Besigwa,Symon Peter Wandiembe,Peter Kisaakye

doi:10.1007/s44202-021-00003-5

Abstract

This study investigated the factors associated with suicidal ideation and psychological distress among Sudanese refugees (aged 10–19 years) in Bidibidi refugee settlement, Yumbe district, Uganda. The analysis is based on cross-sectional data collected as part of the implementation of a project on sexual and reproductive health in Bidibidi refugee settlement. Data were collected from 284 South Sudanese adolescents in July 2020. We estimated the prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and their associated profiles. Odds ratios and their 95% Confidence Intervals based on a logistic regression model were used to assess the effect of different potential factors on the risk profiles for suicidal ideation and psychological distress. The prevalence of psychological distress (on KS-6 scale) was estimated to be 12.3% (95%CI: 8.7, 16.7%). The risk for psychological distress is low among male adolescents (AOR = 0.51; 95%CI: 0.23, 1.02), older adolescents, (AOR = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.40), and adolescents with a friend or family members they can confide in (AOR = 0.33; 95%CI: 0.11, 0.96). Both suicidal ideation and psychological distress are very high among the female adolescents. Familial and individual interventions can be potentially useful for female adolescents who have a high risk of suicide and psychological distress.

Highlights

Suicide ideation (SI) or suicide attempt (SA) remain a public health concern [1]
Especially female adolescents are susceptible to suicidal ideations and attempts
The major risk factors associated with suicidal ideations and attempts include loneliness, isolation, not having friend or family member to confide in, having no hope for the future and limited or no access to mental health and psychosocial support services

Summary

Introduction

Suicide ideation (SI) or suicide attempt (SA) remain a public health concern [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates about 800,000 deaths from suicide related causes annually [2]. Suicide has been reported as a leading cause of death among adolescents and youth living in refugee settings, in the age group 15–29 years [1, 3]. Despite the alarming situation about suicidality, there is limited knowledge on the risk of suicide behaviors among vulnerable populations such as adolescent refugees [1, 3, 6, 7]. There is limited literature on SI and SA among vulnerable populations such as refugee adolescents [1, 3]

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Discussion

Conclusion