Suicidal Ideation in Sudanese Women

Abstract

A literature review indicated that suicidal behavior in Sudan was very infrequent. However, an assessment of suicidal ideation in two Sudanese groups of women demonstrated high levels, particularly in women in a displaced-persons area. In addition, the recent establishment of a Befrienders International volunteer service allowed anecdotal evidence of substantial suicidal behavior to be collated. These findings highlight the need for further professional and volunteer assistance with continuing evaluation and research concerning programs for this vulnerable population.

Suicide in Blantyre, Malawi (2000–2003)

“…5,10,12,16,24,26 However, many studies from several regions of Africa, including overlapping regions of the previous studies, have reported a much higher proportion of women committing suicide suggesting that women may be at higher risk based on local factors. 6,8,9,11,19 Seventy nine percent of our study group committed suicide by using agricultural pesticides (e.g., Termik, organophosphates). Although officially licensed for restricted use on the tea and coffee estates prominent in the Southern Region, Termik is readily available and sold cheaply on the black market.…”

“…1 The range of data from Africa regarding suicide, attempted suicide, and parasuicide from both the clinical and forensic arenas includes many excellent studies; yet, there remains a great need for centralized collection and processing of mortality statistics, including suicide, across the continent. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Published forensic data (i.e., mortality studies) from the late 1970s for the African continent indicate suicides constitute 6.3-7.4% of autopsies. 5,17 Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as recent as 1990 found the suicide rate to be lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa (3.4 per 100,000) compared to the rest of the world.…”

“…18 Several studies in Africa have address the specific reasons for committing suicide on the continent which do not differ greatly from other populations around the world; they can include acute marital and family conflicts, sexual conflicts and unwanted pregnancies, incrimination, mental or emotional disorders (i.e., depression, schizophrenia), age issues, gender issues, chronic medical conditions (i.e., HIV), and substance abuse (i.e., alcohol). 2,[6][7][8][9][10]12,15,19 Statistics on the religious practices of people committing and/or attempting suicide show variable associations with no particular sect or denomination at risk. 9,10 Reported methods of committing suicide vary by popularity for different countries in Africa influenced by socio-cultural factors but tend to include some proportion of self-poisoning (i.e., organophosphates, prescription medications), selfimmolation, hanging, and gunshot wounds.…”

Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders in Deliberate Self Harm Victims

“…The studies conducted globally demonstrate a varying trend. Some researchers propose that deliberate self harm has female predilection [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] , whereas others proposes view contrary to this. [30][31][32] Several other studies found self-harm to be gender neutral.…”

Religion – en beskyttende faktor ved selvmord

“…I Egypt (Okasha 1981) og Sudan (Goldney et al 1998) er høy forekomst av selvmordstanker ikke reflektert i høye selvmordsrater. Dette kan muligens forstås dithen at selv om det finnes suicidale personer i muslimske samfunn, skjer det ikke så ofte selvmord der siden religionen så sterkt fordømmer det.…”