Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017

Abstract Background The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behaviour (SB) among adults in Malawi. Methods Data were analysed from 4187 persons aged 18–69 years (median age: 32 years) that took part in the nationally representative cross-sectional “2017 Malawi STE...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Supa Pengpid, Karl Peltzer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-06-01
Series:International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-021-00483-x
_version_ 1818436189203464192
author Supa Pengpid
Karl Peltzer
author_facet Supa Pengpid
Karl Peltzer
author_sort Supa Pengpid
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behaviour (SB) among adults in Malawi. Methods Data were analysed from 4187 persons aged 18–69 years (median age: 32 years) that took part in the nationally representative cross-sectional “2017 Malawi STEPS survey.” Results The prevalence of ever suicide attempt was 0.8%, and the prevalence of SB (ideation, plan and/or attempt) in the past year was 7.9% (6.0% among men and 9.6% among women). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, among men, being 30 years and older and having an alcohol family problem were positively and obesity was negatively associated with SB in the past year. Moreover, in univariate analysis, early smoking initiation was positively and not using active transportation was negatively associated with SB in the past year. Among women, having an alcohol family problem, death from suicide of a close family member, having a cardiovascular incident (heart attack, stroke, or angina) and not using active transportation increased the odds of SB in the past year. In addition, in univariate analysis, low systolic blood pressure (< 100 mmHg), not taking antihypertensive medication, and current alcohol use were associated with past year SB. Conclusion Almost one in ten participants engaged in SB in the past year and several associated factors were identified that can inform intervention programmes.
first_indexed 2024-12-14T17:04:49Z
format Article
id doaj.art-416e2334402247439b09e879f26e68b5
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1752-4458
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-14T17:04:49Z
publishDate 2021-06-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series International Journal of Mental Health Systems
spelling doaj.art-416e2334402247439b09e879f26e68b52022-12-21T22:53:45ZengBMCInternational Journal of Mental Health Systems1752-44582021-06-011511810.1186/s13033-021-00483-xPrevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017Supa Pengpid0Karl Peltzer1ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Psychology, University of the Free StateAbstract Background The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behaviour (SB) among adults in Malawi. Methods Data were analysed from 4187 persons aged 18–69 years (median age: 32 years) that took part in the nationally representative cross-sectional “2017 Malawi STEPS survey.” Results The prevalence of ever suicide attempt was 0.8%, and the prevalence of SB (ideation, plan and/or attempt) in the past year was 7.9% (6.0% among men and 9.6% among women). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, among men, being 30 years and older and having an alcohol family problem were positively and obesity was negatively associated with SB in the past year. Moreover, in univariate analysis, early smoking initiation was positively and not using active transportation was negatively associated with SB in the past year. Among women, having an alcohol family problem, death from suicide of a close family member, having a cardiovascular incident (heart attack, stroke, or angina) and not using active transportation increased the odds of SB in the past year. In addition, in univariate analysis, low systolic blood pressure (< 100 mmHg), not taking antihypertensive medication, and current alcohol use were associated with past year SB. Conclusion Almost one in ten participants engaged in SB in the past year and several associated factors were identified that can inform intervention programmes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-021-00483-xSuicide attemptSuicidal behaviourRisk factorsAdultsMalawi
spellingShingle Supa Pengpid
Karl Peltzer
Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017
International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Suicide attempt
Suicidal behaviour
Risk factors
Adults
Malawi
title Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017
title_full Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017
title_fullStr Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017
title_short Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in Malawi: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in 2017
title_sort prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviour among adults in malawi a nationally representative cross sectional survey in 2017
topic Suicide attempt
Suicidal behaviour
Risk factors
Adults
Malawi
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-021-00483-x
work_keys_str_mv AT supapengpid prevalenceandcorrelatesofsuicidalbehaviouramongadultsinmalawianationallyrepresentativecrosssectionalsurveyin2017
AT karlpeltzer prevalenceandcorrelatesofsuicidalbehaviouramongadultsinmalawianationallyrepresentativecrosssectionalsurveyin2017