Suicide attempts and behavioral correlates among a nationally representative sample of school-attending adolescents in the Republic of Malawi

Abstract

BackgroundSuicide is among the top causes of adolescent mortality worldwide. While correlates of suicidal behavior are better understood and delineated in upper-income countries, epidemiologic knowledge of suicidal behavior in low-income countries remains scant, particularly in the African continent. The present study sought to add to the epidemiologic literature on suicidal behavior in Africa by examining the behavioral correlates of suicide attempts among Malawi adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a nationally-representative sample extracted from publically-available data was conducted. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to discern associations between suicide attempts and a host of behavioral variables. 2225 records were included in the study.ResultsAt the multivariate level, suicide attempters had significantly higher odds of being anxious, being physically bullied, having sustained a serious injury and having a greater number of lifetime sexual partners. Alcohol use (at an early age and within the past 30 days) was also associated with suicide attempts.ConclusionsThese findings have the potential to guide public health interventions geared toward suicide prevention in Africa and other, similar regions, as well as provide the impetus for future epidemiologic studies on suicidal behavior in low-income countries.

Loneliness, Insomnia and Suicidal Behavior among School-Going Adolescents in Western Pacific Island Countries: Role of Violence and Injury

“…Although causality could not be proved due to the cross-sectional nature of data, the study showed a proportional association of violence and injury experience with suicidal behavior. A previous study showed that suicide attempters had significantly higher odds of being physically bullied as well as having a serious injury among school-attending Malawi adolescents [ 36 ].…”

High risk of suicide among high-school learners in uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

“…[10] In Malawi, a study that examined the behavioural correlates of suicide attempts among adolescents in the previous 12 months found that 7.15% of adolescents had attempted suicide at least once and that 5.75% had made two or more attempts. [16]…”

“…Our results support previous studies on alcohol and drug abuse among youth. [9,[15][16] Of concern is the fact that in SA, rules and regulations regarding alcohol consumption have been in existence for some time, [12] but enactment does not appear to be producing positive outcomes. There is therefore an urgent need to review alcohol policy so that it can be effective in regulating the use of alcohol, especially by individuals aged <18 years.…”

<p>Prevalence and correlates of past 12-month suicide attempt among in-school adolescents in Guatemala</p>

“…Externalizing problems may include, alcohol use,7,12,14,15 drug use,13–15 cannabis use,16 soft drink consumption,17 being bullied,7,12,18,19 exposure to interpersonal violence,10 being physically attacked,13,15 and in physical fight,15 sexual coitus20 and injury 21. Limited data exist on the prevalence and correlates of suicide attempts among adolescents in Guatemala.…”