Non-fatal suicidal behaviour in rural Ethiopia: a cross-sectional facility- and population-based study
The study concluded that non-fatal suicidal behaviour is an important public health problem in this rural district
Abstract
Injury related to self-harm is one of the leading causes of global disease burden. As a formative work for a programme to implement comprehensive mental healthcare in a rural district in Ethiopia, the authors determined the 12-month prevalence of non-fatal suicidal behaviour as well as factors associated with this behaviour to understand the potential burden of the behaviour in the district.
The study concluded that non-fatal suicidal behaviour is an important public health problem in this rural district. A more in-depth understanding of the context of the occurrence of the behaviour, improving access to care and targeting depression and alcohol use disorder are important next steps. The role of other psychosocial factors should also be explored to assist the provision of holistic care.
Citation
Fekadu, A.; Medhin, G.; Selamu, M.; Shiferaw, T.; Hailemariam, M.; Rathod, S.D.; Jordans, M.; Teferra, S.; Lund, C.; Breuer, E.; Prince, M.; Giorgis, T.W.; Alem, A.; Hanlon, C. Non-fatal suicidal behaviour in rural Ethiopia: a cross-sectional facility- and population-based study. BMC Psychiatry (2016) 16 (1) [DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-0784-y]