Prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan, attempts and its associated factors in selected rural and urban areas of Puducherry, India

Abstract

Background The Union Territory of Puducherry has a high rate of suicide in India. This study aims to find the prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan and suicide attempts and the risk factors of suicidal behaviours. Methods This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged 18 years and above in rural and urban areas of Puducherry, India. Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale questionnaire was used. Prevalence ratio was estimated to assess the factors associated. Results The 12-month and lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation was reported to be 12.5% (95% CI: 10.4–15.0%) and 20% (95% CI: 17.4–22.9%), respectively. About 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3–1.5%) and 2.1% (95% CI: 1.2–3.3%) of the participants had suicide plan in past 12 months and ever in their lifetime, respectively. Around 1% (95% CI: 0.5–2.0%) and 5.7% (95% CI: 4.3–7.6%) of the participants had attempted suicide in past 12 months and ever in their lifetime, respectively. Family issues, physical abuse, unemployment and place of residence were significantly associated with suicidal ideation in multivariable analysis. Conclusion Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were very high in the study area. Unemployment, physical abuse and family issues were significantly associated with suicidal behaviour.

Prevalence, psychosocial correlates of youths’ suicidal behaviors and perspectives on the phenomena at Zagazig University: a mixed-methods study

“…These findings go along with that of Rajappa et al [35] in which they suggested that suicidal behaviors are attempts to escape negative emotions that occur when people lack emotion control tools when they are distressed. Also, these findings shared similarities with Singh et al [36] results where they found that 74.6% of suicidality ideated to end pain and 12.1% to get attention. As well, these findings were in agreement with the findings of Stubbing and Gibson's [37] study where 9 focus group discussions were conducted with youth in New Zealand.…”

Choice of poisoning agent and self-reported reasons for attempted suicide - A retrospective study

“…13 In contrast to our findings, studies in India by Singh A, Lingeswaran A, and Purushothaman P found more number of females attempting suicide, which could be due to differences in the population sampled. 17,19,20 In accordance with the results of a qualitative study on attempted suicide among young people in India, the majority of our subjects who attempted suicide were unmarried. 21 Low educational attainment, low socioeconomic status, and involvement in the agricultural sector were found to be the vulnerable demographics for heightened suicide risk in our sample.…”

“…13 In a study done among rural and urban populations of Puducherry in South India, most participants enumerated reasons for attempting suicide as being family-related, alcohol-related, finance-related, loss of loved one, loneliness, unemployment, health-related, and work/jobrelated among various other reasons and family-related issues being more prevalent of all. 14 Another study reported the presence of psychiatric illness, substance use disorders, and severe medical illness (such as cancer, head injury, peptic ulcer disease, HIV/AIDS, and chronic pain) as some of the other factors that result in suicidal ideation. 15 Research suggests that suicide attempts tend to recur with each attempt showing increased capability of lethality and almost half of serious suicide attempters make another attempt within 5 years.…”

Empty stomach together with menstrual bleeding as predictors of committed suicides among women of reproductive age: What a primary physician must know

“…[ 17 ] In Indian rural setting, most of the girls get married between 18 and 25 years, so it is not surprising that other studies also suggested suicides and attempted suicides are more common in young and newly married women because of physical and mental illness, disturbed emotional relationship, economic hardship, sexual and financial victimization. [ 6 7 18 ]…”