The Prevalence of Suicidal Behaviour and Associated Risk Factors in Grade 8 Learners in Durban

Objectives: Most of the research on suicidal behaviour in youth focuses on developed countries. Less is known about the prevalence of suicidal behaviour and associated risk factors in community samples of youth who do not present for mental health care in developing countries. This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal behaviour and associated risk factors in grade 8 learners in Durban. Setting and subjects: Grade 8 learners in a government-run; co-educational school were approached to participate in the study after parental consent and child assent were obtained. A descriptive; cross-sectional method was used to gather quantitative data. The grade 8 learners were asked to complete demographic questionnaires and various psychometric assessment scales. Design: The gathered data were divided into two groups; i.e. those who reported personal suicidal behaviour and those who did not. The various variables in these two groups were compared using bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Results: The study established that 22 participants (33.8; n = 75) reported suicidal behaviour (thoughts; plans or attempts in this regard). They also had higher levels of depression; perceived stress; hopelessness and anger (p-value 0.01) than those who did not report any suicidal behaviour. The same participants had lower scores on scales that assessed self-esteem and perceived social support from family (p-value 0.01); compared to those who did not report any suicidal behaviour. Logistic regression analysis that was undertaken indicated that a friend's suicidal thoughts [odds ratio (OR) 4.27; p-value 0.01]; alcohol use (OR 3.08; p-value 0.01); perceived stress (OR 1.05; p-value 0.01) and depression (OR 1.04; p-value 0.01); were strong predictors of personal suicidal behaviour in this sample. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of suicidal behaviour in grade 8 learners in Durban. The identified risk factors were similar to those found in developed countries. Healthcare providers and other professionals; such as school counsellors; should consider the identified risk factors when assessing suicidality and planning interventions for youth

Conduites suicidaires en milieu carceral a Conakry (Guinee Conakry)

Les conduites suicidaires en milieu carceral constituent un probleme majeur de sante publique a la prison civile de Conakry. Objectifs: Determiner la frequence des conduites suicidaires et d'identifier les facteurs pouvant conduire au suicide dans la prison civile de Conakry. Methodologie: Il s'agissait d'une etude prospective de type descriptif d'une duree de 6 mois ayant portee sur 133 detenus. Resultats: La frequence des conduites suicidaires chez les detenus etait de 66;17. La tranche d'age de 14 a 35 ans etait la plus touchee (83;96) avec une predominance masculine (91;73). Les detenus analphabetes et du niveau secondaire evoluant dans le secteur informel et les sans profession etaient majoritaires. Les motifs d'incarceration etaient varies ; le sejour carceral etait plus ou moins long alors que les detenus non juges etaient nombreux soit 82;71 de cas. Dans 54;14 de cas; les detenus avaient des antecedents de tentatives de suicide ; nous avons note les addictions dans 89;47 de cas ; les plaintes des detenus etaient surtout basees sur les troubles de l'appetit; l'insomnie; le decouragement; la baisse de l'estime de soi; la tristesse; l'anxiete; le pessimisme; les sentiments de honte et de remord; les idees suicidaires ; tous ces detenus presentaient une humeur depressive soit 100 de cas. Conclusion: Une etude portant sur toutes les prisons au niveau national semble indispensable pour mieux cerner l'ampleur du phenomene; elle devra etre suivie d'une analyse approfondie des differents facteurs impliques en vue d'apporter des solutions adaptees

Lifetime mental disorders and suicidal behaviour in South Africa

There is relatively little data on the relationship between lifetime mental disorders and suicidal behaviour in low and middle income countries. This study examines the relationship between lifetime mental disorders; and subsequent suicide ideation; plans; and suicide attempts in South Africa. Method: A national survey of 4185 South African adults was conducted using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to generate psychiatric diagnoses and suicidal behaviour. Bivariate; multivariate and discrete-time survival analyses were employed to investigate the associations between mental disorders and subsequent suicide ideation; plans; and attempts. Results: Sixty-one percent of people who seriously considered killing themselves at some point in their lifetime reported having a prior DSM-IV disorder. Mental disorders predict the onset of suicidal ideation; but have weaker effects in predicting suicide plans or attempts. After controlling for comorbid mental disorders; PTSD was the strongest predictor of suicidal ideation and attempts. There is a relationship between number of mental disorders and suicidal behaviour; with comorbidity having significantly sub-additive effects. Conclusion: Consistent with data from the developed world; mental disorders are strong predictors of suicidal behaviour; and these associations are more often explained by the prediction of ideation; rather than the prediction of attempts amongst ideators. This suggests some universality of the relevant mechanisms underlying the genesis of suicidal thoughts; and the progression to suicide attempts