Prevalence of suicidal ideation and its lifestyle correlates among adolescents in Florianopolis, Brazils among adolescents in Florianópolis, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation and identify associations with lifestyle. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 971 adolescents (14 to 18 years), of both sexes, attending public schools in Florianópolis, Brazil. Suicidal ideation was the outcome variable, assessed by the question "During the last 12 months, have you, at any time, seriously considered committing suicide (taking your own life)?" The response options were "yes" and "no." Lifestyle was assessed using the Fantastic Lifestyle questionnaire. Total and domain scores were treated as independent variables. Results: The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation was 22.1% (girls = 30.1%, boys = 15.0%, p < 00.5). In both boys and girls, the domains Family and Friends (OR: 0.86; IC95%=0.76-0.97; and OR: 0.75; IC95%=0.68-0.84), Tobacco and Toxics (OR: 0.80; IC95%=0.72-0.90; and OR: 0.71; IC95%=0.64-0.79), Sleep, Seatbelt, Stress, and Safe Sex (OR: 0.87; IC95=0.81-0.94; and OR: 0.87; IC95%=0.82-0.92), Type of Behavior (OR=0,72; IC95%=0.62-0.84; and OR: 0.74; IC95%=0.66-0.83), Insight (OR: 0.65; IC95%=0.58-0.72; and OR: 0.63; IC95%=0.57-0.69), and the overall lifestyle score were negatively associated with suicidal ideation (OR: 0.1; IC95%=0.84-0.94; and OR: 0.92; IC95%=0.90-0.94). Furthermore, in girls, there was a negative association of the Alcohol domain (OR: 0.85; IC95%=0.76-0.96) with suicidal ideation. Conclusion: The prevalence of suicidal ideation is alarming, affecting 2 out of 10 adolescents. Adolescents with lower lifestyle scores, as well as those with poorer scores in behavioral, psychological, and social domains, had the highest likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation.

Keywords

• students
• mental health
• risk behaviors
• public health