Kava drinking associated with suicidal behaviour among young Kanaks using kava in New Caledonia

Suicide and suicide attempts in the Pacific Islands: A Systematic Literature Review

“… Tavite & Tavite, 2009 [53] Tokelau (1980-2004) Suicide & SA N=142 completed a cross-sectional survey (aged 15-45); N=6 suicides; N=40 suicide attempts Case series Surveillance of all available records on suicidal cases (1980-2004), interviews with relatives of those who died by suicide, or those who attempted suicide (1998-2004); cross-sectional study of all people in Tokelau in 2004. Vignier et al., 2011 [50] New Caledonia (2007) SA N=1400 youth aged 16 to 25 years (response rate 88.1%) Cross-sectional study A survey of young people using a stratified sample based on 2004 census data were constructed for each of the four geographic regions; the stratifying factors were sex, age group, and school enrolment status. Young people were asked “Have you ever tried to commit suicide?” Wainiqolo et al., 2012 [45] Fiji; Viti Levu (1 st October 2005 – 30 th September 2006) Suicide & SA N=78 suicides; N=144 suicide attempts Case series Surveillance of all injury-related deaths and primary admissions to hospitals using the Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospital database (used an adapted version of the WHO Injury Surveillance Guideline).…”

“…In terms of coverage of the Pacific Islands, most articles focused on a single country, of which most ( n =13) were about Fiji. [5 , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] The remaining studies identified in the review covered Guam ( n =3), [6 , 47 , 48] New Caledonia ( n =2), [49 , 50] (Federated States of) Micronesia ( n =2), [7 , 51] French Polynesia ( n =2), [23 , 34] and one each on the Solomon Islands, [52] Tokelau, [53] and The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. [54] A further four articles contained information from multiple Pacific Island countries, [3 , 4 , 24 , 55] and six analysed data from globally distributed surveys.…”

“…The cross-sectional study had a low response rate (38%). 12 (Low) Vignier et al., 2011 [50] 12% of the total sample reported lifetime suicide attempt. Higher self-reported SA in female youth, associated with early substance use, possibly associated with Kava use in the Kanak peoples of New Caledonia.…”

“… [47] The use of traditional psychoactive substances such as Kava was also associated with suicidal behaviours. [50] …”

“…[47] The use of traditional psychoactive substances such as Kava was also associated with suicidal behaviours. [50] For adults in Kiribati, psychological distress and physical health issues were associated with the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts. For the previous 12-months, identifying as female and younger age was also important.…”