Factors Associated With Suicide in Four West African Countries Among Adolescent Students: An Analysis Using the Global School-Based Student Health Survey

Idiatou Diallo; Luke R Aldridge; Judith Bass; Leslie B Adams; Adam P Spira

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.04.017

Factors Associated With Suicide in Four West African Countries Among Adolescent Students: An Analysis Using the Global School-Based Student Health Survey

J Adolesc Health. 2023 Sep;73(3):494-502. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.04.017. Epub 2023 Jun 15.

Authors

Idiatou Diallo¹, Luke R Aldridge², Judith Bass², Leslie B Adams², Adam P Spira³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address: idiallo3@jhu.edu.
² Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
³ Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Services, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

PMID: 37330706
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.04.017

Abstract

Purpose: Globally, suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents, with the highest burden of suicide occurring in Africa. Despite this, little is known about the epidemiology of suicide among adolescents in West Africa. In this study, we explore suicidality among West African adolescents.

Methods: Using pooled data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey in four West African countries (Ghana, Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone), we investigated the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt and examined associations with 15 covariates using univariate and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Overall, 18.6% of adolescents in the pooled sample (N = 9,726) had considered suicide, while 24.7% reported attempting suicide. Significant correlates of suicide attempt included older age (16+ years; odds ratio [OR]: 1.70, confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-2.63), difficulty sleeping due to worry (OR: 1.27, CI: 1.04-1.56), loneliness (OR: 1.65, CI: 1.39-1.96), truancy (OR: 1.38. CI: 1.05-1.82), being a target of bullying (OR: 1.53, CI: 1.26-1.85), getting physically attacked (OR: 1.73, CI: 1.42-2.11), physical fighting (OR: 1.47, CI: 1.21-1.79), current cigarette use (OR: 2.71, CI: 1.88-3.89), and initiation of drug use (OR: 2.19, CI: 1.71-2.81). Conversely, having close friends was associated with lower odds of suicide attempt (OR: 0.67, CI: 0.48-0.93). Several covariates were also significantly associated with suicidal ideation.

Discussion: Suicidal ideation and attempts are highly prevalent among school-going adolescents in these West African countries. Multiple modifiable risk and protective factors were identified. Programs, interventions, and policies aimed at addressing these factors may play a significant role in preventing suicides in these countries.

Keywords: Adolescents; Global mental health; Global school-based student health survey; Protective factors; Risk factors; Suicide; West Africa.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Africa, Western
Health Surveys
Humans
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Students*
Suicidal Ideation*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding