Suicidal thoughts among university students in Ethiopia

Prediction of suicidal ideation with associated risk factors among university students in the southern part of Bangladesh: Machine learning approach

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of suicidal ideation has become an urgent issue, particularly among adolescents. The primary objective of this research is to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation among students in the southern region of Bangladesh and to predict this phenomenon using machine learning (ML) models.

METHODS

The data collection process involved using a simple random sampling technique to gather information from university students located in the southern region of Bangladesh during the period spreading from April 2022 to June 2022. Upon accounting for missing values and non-response rates, the ultimate sample size was determined to be 584, with 51.5 % of participants identifying as male and 48.5 % female.

RESULTS

A significant proportion of students, precisely 19.9 %, reported experiencing suicidal ideation. Most participants were female (77 %) and unmarried (78 %). Within the machine learning (ML) framework, KNN exhibited the highest accuracy score of 91.45 %. In addition, the Random Forest (RF), and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) algorithms exhibited comparable levels of accuracy, achieving scores of 90.60 and 90.59 respectively.

LIMITATIONS

Using a cross-sectional design in research limits the ability to establish causal relationships.

CONCLUSION

Mental health practitioners can employ the KNN model alongside patients' medical histories to detect those who may be at a higher risk of attempting suicide. This approach enables healthcare professionals to take appropriate measures, such as counselling, encouraging regular sleep patterns, and addressing depression and anxiety, to prevent suicide attempts.

Is chewing khat associated with mental health disorders? A scoping review of the content and quality of the current evidence base

BACKGROUND

Khat (Catha edulis) is a plant commonly found in the horn of Africa whose leaves are chewed for their psycho-stimulant effects. Several studies have demonstrated the association between khat use and mental health problems. Nevertheless, evidence is mixed and inconsistent, warranting further review of available studies. This scoping review is aimed at investigating the content and quality of evidence base on the associations between khat use and mental health disorders and suggesting avenues for further research.

METHODS

We used a scoping review methodology to map the existing evidence using PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Primary studies focusing on the association between any pattern of khat use and any form of mental health disorders are included. The review focused on all age groups, any study design, all geographical locations, and any publication year. The terms used for searching eligible studies include khat, mental disorders, and various alternative terminologies. Narrative review is employed to present findings.

RESULTS

7,121 articles were found, of which 108 were eligible, conducted across 12 different countries. The majority of the studies was done during the last ten years and the studies mostly employed cross-sectional design. About 10 different categories of mental health disorders have been identified as showing associations with khat use. Despite many contradictory findings between the studies, most of the evidence base suggests that khat use is associated with mental health disorders. Non-specific psychological distress is the most frequently mentioned mental health problem (reported in 26.9% of the studies). Khat use as a predictor variable is mostly assessed using a 'yes/no' category, and as a result, dose-dependent effects of khat use on mental health are not given much consideration.

CONCLUSION

Although most of the studies associate khat use with mental health disorders, the causal relationships are inconclusive given the cross-sectional design of the studies, and the presence of potential confounders and several forms of biases. Available studies also report contradictory findings. Further studies are recommended using prospective designs, standardized and valid measures of khat use, and focusing on specific types of mental health disorders.

Risk factors of suicide among public university students of Bangladesh: A qualitative exploration

Introduction

Suicidal deaths among the students have increased worldwide where Bangladesh is not an exception and the reasons are not well documented.

Objective

Revealing the common risk factors of suicide among the public university students of Bangladesh was the aim of this study.

Methods

This study utilized a qualitative research design and data was collected from five public universities of Bangladesh where suicidal death found prevailing. Guidelines containing open ended questions were used to conduct in-depth interviews and key informant interviews among thirty public university students and five university professionals respectively. Both purposive and snowball sampling was used to select respondents. Data of this study was analyzed thematically.

Results

Findings of this study suggest most of the public university students, committed suicide shows a history of depression, hopelessness, perfectionism, family conflicts, relationship break-up, lack of social support, financial crisis, and academic stress before their attempts.

Conclusion

Arranging seminars, workshops, and awareness-raising campaigns are urgently needed to change suicidal behavior among the public university students of Bangladesh. A strong support system should be built with suggestions from mental health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and academicians to ensure good psychological well-being among the students.

Socio-demographic, economic and mental health problems were risk factors for suicidal ideation among Kenyan students aged 15 plus

BACKGROUND

About a third of youth with suicidal ideation develop suicidal plans and about 60% of youth with suicidal plans make suicidal attempts. This study aimed to study different types of suicidal ideation and the risk factors in Kenyan youth.

METHODS

We studied a total of 9742 high school, college and university students using following self-administered instruments: - a researcher design socio-demographic questionnaire, Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) to document psychiatric disorders and various types of suicidal ideas in previous two weeks, Washington Early Recognition Center Affectivity and Psychosis tool to assess stress, affectivity and psychosis, Wealth index questionnaire to document economic indicators based on household items for the families of the students. We used descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, bivariate logistic regression analysis and variables with a p-value of less than <.05 were entered into generalized linear models using logit links to identify independent predictors.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of different types of suicidal ideation was (22.6%), major depression was found in 20.0%, affectivity, psychosis and stress was found in 10.4%, 8.7% and 26.0% respectively. Female gender, major depression, stress, affectivity and psychosis and being in high school were significant (p < 0.05) predictors of suicidal ideation.

LIMITATIONS

This was a cross sectional study that focused only on suicidal ideas and associated economic factors and mental health disorders. It did not study suicidal behavior.

CONCLUSION

Future studies are needed to study the progression from suicidal ideas to suicidal attempts and the factors associated with that progression.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation Among University Students in Bangladesh

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with suicidal ideation among university students in Bangladesh. We collected cross-sectional data from 407 students aged between 18 and 27 years at Jahangirnagar University (Dhaka, Bangladesh), using a convenience sampling technique. Of the total sample, 13.8% reported having suicidal ideation during the past 12 months. In multiple logistic regression analysis, being female, being a fifth-year student, lower socioeconomic status, exposure to traumatic events, family suicide history, and depression were associated with suicidal ideation. The findings emphasize the need for appropriate support services for university students with a focus on mental health wellbeing and suicide prevention.

Prevalence and factors associated to depression and suicidal behavior among medical students

ABSTRACT Objective: Depression and suicidal behavior have been described as major problems among medical students. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and suicidal behavior among medical students of an institution and to investigate possible associated variables. Methods: The authors carried out a cross-sectional study through a self-administered questionnaire, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS) instruments. The diagnosis of depression was based on an instrument adapted according to the DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria. Logistic regression was performed to search for depression predictor variables. Results: In a total of 381 students, the prevalence of depression was 27.6%. Suicidal ideation of moderate to severe intensity was observed in 10.5% of the sample. About 6% of students had previously attempted suicide. Consumption of licit and illicit drugs was frequent among the participants, reaching 78% and 24% of the sample, respectively. The demand for specialized treatment was lower than expected among students with depression. Logistic regression revealed that female gender, reduced interpersonal contact with friends, reduced physical activity, difficulty in facing new situations and high perception of personal pressure were risk factors for depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and suicidal behavior among medical students is higher than in the general population. There is a need for further studies to enable a better understanding of the risk factors and variables at play, which is fundamental for the development of early intervention strategies and support for students.

Suicide ideation, attempt, and determinants among medical students Northwest Ethiopia: an institution-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Suicide ideation and attempt are more highly prevalent among medical students compared to the general population. Suicidal thought negatively impacts the quality of life, physical, and mental well-being of the students. However, research into suicide ideation and attempt among medical students in low- and middle-income countries is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore suicide ideation and attempt and their determinants among medical students in Ethiopia have a crucial role for further intervention.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 medical students from March to June 2019 at the University of Gondar (UoG) in Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Suicide ideation and attempt were assessed using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to assess lifetime suicide ideation and attempts during medical school. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with suicide ideation and attempt. An odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to assess the strength of the association.

RESULTS

A total of 393 participants took part with a response rate of 92.9%. The prevalence of suicide ideation and attempt among study participants was found to be 14% and 7.4%, respectively, with 95% CI (10.9-18.1) and (5.1-10.2). Being female (AOR: 5.21, 95% CI 3.42-7.20), co-morbid depression symptoms (AOR: 10.12, 95% CI 6.80-15.52), current khat chewing (AOR: 4.46, 95% CI 3.32-10.02), and poor social support (AOR: 4.46, 95% CI 3.43-9.87) were factors significantly associated with suicide ideation; whereas, female sex (AOR: 8.08, 95% CI 6.04-12.39), depression (AOR: 10.66, 95% CI 8.01-19.01) and history of mental illness (AOR: 5.53, 95% CI 5.20-15.50) were factors significantly associated with suicide attempt.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, the prevalence of suicide ideation among medical students was low compared to other studies, but the suicide attempt was high. Ministry of Health should develop a guideline on how to screen and manage suicide ideation and attempt among medical students.