Prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation among students taking university entrance tests: revisited and a study based on Geographic Information System data

Abstract

Background A previous study identified students taking Bangladeshi university entrance tests as a vulnerable group at a higher risk of suicidal behaviours before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the impact of the pandemic on the magnitude of these behaviours among this population remains unexplored. Aims This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among Bangladeshi university entrance test takers following the pandemic. In addition, an approach based on Geographic Information System (GIS) data was used to visualise the distribution of suicidal ideation across the country. Methods A cross-sectional approach was used to collect data among participants taking the entrance test at Jahangirnagar University in September 2022. Using SPSS, data were analysed with chi-squared tests and binary regression, and ArcGIS was used to map the results across the nation. Results The study revealed a prevalence of 14.4% for past-year suicidal ideation, with 7.4% and 7.2% reporting suicide plans and attempts, respectively. Notably, repeat test-takers exhibited a higher prevalence of suicidal behaviours. Significant risk factors for suicidal ideation included urban residence, smoking, drug use, COVID-19 infection and deaths among close relations, depression, anxiety and burnout. The GIS-based distribution indicated significant variation in the prevalence of suicidal ideation across different districts, with higher rates observed in economically and infrastructurally deprived areas. Conclusions Urgent measures are needed to address the high prevalence of suicidal behaviours among students taking university entrance tests students in Bangladesh, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhanced mental health support, targeted prevention efforts and improved resources in economically disadvantaged regions are crucial to safeguard the well-being of these students.

Prevalence and factors associated with digital addiction among students taking university entrance tests: a GIS-based study

“…Previous studies reported that students who failed in first-time university entrance tests had a higher rate of mental health problems. For instance, studies conducted among similar students taking university entrance tests reported that repeat test takers had higher rates of depression, anxiety, burnout, and suicidal behaviors, as found in the studies conducted before the pandemic [ 15 ], and during the pandemic [ 17 ]. It is also reported that mental health problems had significant associations with different types of digital addiction, for instance, smartphone addiction [ 7 , 30 , 31 ], Facebook addiction [ 22 ], nomophobia [ 29 ], internet addiction [ 6 ], and social media addiction [ 32 ].…”

“…Sociodemographic information, including variables such as gender, permanent residence (rural and urban), religion, family type, and monthly family income. Participant’s family was categorized into three distinct groups: those with incomes less than 15,000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT), those falling within the 15,000–30,000 BDT range, and those with monthly family incomes exceeding 30,000 BDT as following the previous study within the similar population [ 17 ]. For religion, others represent those studies belonging to a religion other than Muslim, that is, Hindu, Christianity, Buddhism, etc.…”