Socioeconomic and Lifestyle Factors as Risks for Suicidality in Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: Suicidal behavior is seen in the context of a variety of mental disorders and while many believe that, in general, first episode psychosis is a particularly high-risk period for suicide, no general agreement regarding higher prevalence of suicide in first episode psychosis is achievable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associated factors of suicidal ideation (SI) and attempt (SA) among Nigerian adults. Method: The data were collected from Federal Medical Center Birnin Kebbi and the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Kebbi State, a nationally representative sample recruited using a multi-stage clustered probability design. Results: Female, previously married status, lower education, and lower-income were associated with SI and SA. In particular, the effect of age on SI presented a reverse pattern based on gender; there was a positive association for men and a negative association for women. Conclusions: This study suggested that low education, low incomes, marital status and age were predominantly associated with the prevalence of SI and SA in women than men. While the lower prevalence of SI was observed in men who engaged in physical activity.