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International Journal of Social Psychiatry
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Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Behaviour Among Adolescents in Southwest Nigeria

Olayinka Omigbodun

College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, fourinkas{at}yahoo.co.uk; omigbodun{at}comui.edu.ng

Nisha Dogra

University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Oluyomi Esan

The Greenwood Institute of Child Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

Babatunde Adedokun

University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Despite being recognized by the World Health Organization as a significant social and health concern, information on suicidal behaviours in Nigerian adolescents is unknown.

Aims: To establish the prevalence and associated psychosocial correlates of suicidal ideation and attempts in Nigerian youth.

Methods: Stratified sampling was used to identify youth aged 10—17 years who completed the Nigeria version of the Global School Health Questionnaire (GSHQ) and the Diagnostic Predictive Scale (DPS) for youths (suicidal behaviour questions) in a classroom setting.

Results: A total of 1429 youth completed the instruments. Over 20% reported suicidal ideation and approximately 12% reported that they had attempted suicide in the last year. Adolescents living in urban areas, from polygamous or disrupted families, had higher rates of suicidal behaviour. Multiple psychosocial factors such as sexual abuse, physical attack and involvement in physical fights were significant predictors of suicidal behaviour.

Conclusion: Factors associated with suicidal ideation and behaviours are similar to those found in other studies but the rates of both suicidal ideation and attempts are towards the upper limit of rates for youth. This study suggests that there is an urgent need for Nigerian policymakers and health providers to review and address this issue.

Key Words: suicidal behaviour • adolescents • Nigeria

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54, No. 1, 34-46 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764007078360
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