Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Background: Suicide is one of the most important contributors to the global burden of disease
among women. Though different mental disorder related studies were conducted among women
in reproductive age, there is a scarcity of information about the magnitude and determinants of
suicidal thoughts and attempt among reproductive age women. Therefore, this study aimed to
determine the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation and attempt among
reproductive age women in the study setting.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among reproductive age (15-
49 years) women in central Gondar zone with multistage cluster sampling technique. Data
collected by using pretest, interview-based Amharic language questionnaire and Composite
International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) tool. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression
model employed to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempt. An Adjusted
Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) computed to see the strength of
association between outcome and independent variables. Variables having less than or equal 0.05
p-value taken as significant factors associated with the outcome of interest.
Result: A total of 590 from 598 sampled women participated with 98.7% of response rate. The
prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt 2.9% (95% CI; 1.5%, 4.4%) and 2.5% (95% CI:
1.4%, 3.7%) respectively. Intimate partner violence (AOR=4.69, 95%CI: 1.52, 14.45),
depression (AOR=3.11, 95%CI: 1.11, 9.85), mental illness history (AOR=5.18, 95%CI: 1.55,
17.32) and currently unmarried (AOR=3.37, 95%CI: 1.13, 10.03) were significant factors
associated with suicidal ideation. Anxiety (AOR=3.55, 95%CI: 1.17, 10.81), currently unmarried
(AOR=4.39, 95%: 1.49, 12.87) and mental illness history (AOR=7.95, 95%CI: 2.42, 26.15) were
significant factors associated with suicidal attempt.
Conclusion: We found that one month prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt was high in
reproductive age women. Intimate partner violence, depression, history of mental illness,
anxiety, currently unmarried was highly associated risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempt.
Keywords: Suicide, Suicidal ideation, Suicidal attempt, reproductive age
