Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempts and
associated factors among mental illness outpatients in Gondar university hospital. This study
used a cross sectional research design using quantitative research approached. Systematic
random sampling technique was used to select 231 (89 males and 142 females) participants from
the target population. Standardized instruments were used to collect data, namely scale for
suicidal ideation (SSI) and Suicidal Attempt Scale. Data obtained were analyzed using
descriptive statistics, Percentage and frequency was carried out to see socio-demographic
difference with suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts, Pearson product moment correlation
coefficient conducted to evaluate the relationship between suicidal ideation and suicidal
attempts and multiple regressions was carried out to identify factors associated with suicidal
ideation and attempts. The results of the study showed that, prevalence rates of suicidal ideation
106(45.9%) and101 (43.7%) of the participants were found suicidal attempts. The result of
Pearson correlation analysis has shown that both suicidal ideation and attempts have
statistically significant positive relationships to one another was .489 at (p-value=.000).Multiple
regression analysis indicated that age, sex, education level marital status and employment
status were the best predictors of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts and explained 2.6% and
1.2% respectively . Considering the result of the study, Suicidal ideation and attempts problems
are a relationship part of mental illness outpatients; mental health professionals (clinical
psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers) have to give concern for the psychological
wellbeing of mental illness out patients.
