Suicidal Behavior and Associated Factors among High School Adolescents in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Even though, Suicidal behavior causes serious psychological, social, physical, and economic impacts, it is rarely studied among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. This hampers the true prevalence of the problem, due to limited and differences in the methods of assessment. Overall, there is limited information on Suicidal behavior among high school adolescents in Ethiopia, particularly in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Objective: This study aims to determine the magnitude of suicidal ideation and attempts and to determine factors associated with overall suicidal behavior among high school adolescent in the Harari region, Ethiopia, March 01 to 30, 2022. Method: School-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 619 adolescent students. Data were collected using pretested self –administered questionnaire. The Collected data were checked for completeness, consistency, and entered into EPI DATA version 3.01 and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Univariate, Bivariate and multivariable analysis was performed to compute frequency distributions and to identify factors associated with the outcome. Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% with confidence interval was calculated and variables with P-value less than 0.05 considered as significant association with suicidal behavior. Results: The prevalence of lifetimes suicidal behavior was 108(17.8 %, 95% CI: 14.9, 21.1) for brief suicidal ideation, 51(8.4 %, 95% CI: 6.3, 10.9) for serious suicidal ideation, and 44(7.3 %, 95% CI: 5.3, 9.6) for suicidal attempts. While, over the past year suicidal ideation were 68(11.2 %, 95% CI:8.8, 14.0). Moreover, the overall suicidal behaviors were 85(14%, 95%CI:11.4, 17.0). Being female(AOR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.70), friend history of suicide(AOR=3.35, 95% CI: 1.75, 6.42), sexualviolence(AOR=2.96, 95% CI: 1.37, 6.38)( ,depression(AOR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.54, 5.31),anxiety(AOR= 2.67, 95% CI: 1.46, 4.90), and current alcohol use(AOR= 2.30, 95% CI: 1.13, 4.68), current ciggarete use (AOR= 4.25, 95% CI: 1.85, 9.73), cyberbullied(AOR=3.20, 95% CI: 1.34, 7.58),being physically bullied(AOR=3.50, 95% CI: 1.38, 8.89), physically attacked(AOR=3.16, 95% CI: 1.21, 8.24) significantly associated with increased the odds of suicidal behavior. While, supportive parent(AOR= 0.53, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.99), and peer support(AOR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.89), social support(AOR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.97)associated with decreased the odds of suicidal behavior. Conclusion: this study revealed that suicidal behaviors are high among Harari adolescents. Most factors associated with suicidal behavior are preventable. Hence, Programs screening for mental health factors and strengthen social connection in school and home should be in cooperated to advance the development of suicide prevention programs.