Suicidal Ideation, Attempts and Associated Factors among Psychiatric Outpatients at University of Gondar Referral Hospital

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempts and associated factors among mental illness outpatients in Gondar university hospital. This study used a cross sectional research design using quantitative research approached. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 231 (89 males and 142 females) participants from the target population. Standardized instruments were used to collect data, namely scale for suicidal ideation (SSI) and Suicidal Attempt Scale. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Percentage and frequency was carried out to see socio-demographic difference with suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient conducted to evaluate the relationship between suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts and multiple regressions was carried out to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempts. The results of the study showed that, prevalence rates of suicidal ideation 106(45.9%) and101 (43.7%) of the participants were found suicidal attempts. The result of Pearson correlation analysis has shown that both suicidal ideation and attempts have statistically significant positive relationships to one another was .489 at (p-value=.000).Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, sex, education level marital status and employment status were the best predictors of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts and explained 2.6% and 1.2% respectively . Considering the result of the study, Suicidal ideation and attempts problems are a relationship part of mental illness outpatients; mental health professionals (clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers) have to give concern for the psychological wellbeing of mental illness out patients.