Suicide attempts and correlates among in-school adolescents in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract We aim to add to the literature on suicidality in Africa by estimating the prevalence and exploring the behavioural correlates of suicide attempts among in-school adolescents in Benin City, Nigeria. Utilising a cross-sectional design, participants were a random, stratified sample of students who filled out questionnaires to identify various determinants of suicidal attempts among adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19. We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to determine associations between suicide attempts and other variables. A total of 725 adolescents completed the instruments. Over 13.5% reported suicidal ideation, and approximately 10.5% reported that they had attempted suicide in the last year. At the multivariate level, adolescents who attempted suicide had significantly greater odds of being anxious, lonely, or victims of bullying behaviour. Individuals experiencing persistently sad moods, suicidal thoughts and plans were significantly associated with suicide attempts. Suicidal ideation and attempts are prevalent among adolescents. Assessment of anxiety, loneliness, and persistently sad moods as risk factors for suicide attempts among adolescents is vital. Indicators of bullying appear to be particularly relevant to the risk of suicide attempts among adolescents and should be given attention as part of risk assessments. We suggest that bullying prevention programs and early identification of the risk factors be a vital part of strategies for initiating and maintaining public health interventions pitched toward suicide prevention in Nigeria and Africa. This study will, in addition, provide a baseline for future studies on suicidal behaviour.

Keywords

• Suicide attempts
• Adolescents
• In-school
• Africa