In a new study, nearly half of adult psychiatric patients in eastern Ethiopia have been found to exhibit suicidal behaviours. The research, conducted in psychiatric clinics of public hospitals, highlights the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions to address this alarming trend. The findings were published in the journal INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing.
The cross-sectional study involved 402 individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The data, gathered from two public hospitals in the Harari region, showed that 46.3% of participants reported suicidal behaviours, which include ideation, intent, and attempts. This figure is considerably higher than what has been recorded in similar community-based studies conducted in the country.
The research identifies several key factors associated with an increased risk of suicidal behaviour among the patients. The most notable are depression, bipolar disorder, non-adherence to medication, and current alcohol use. Patients diagnosed with depression were over twice as likely to display suicidal behaviours compared to those with other psychiatric conditions, reinforcing the link between depressive disorders and suicidality. Those with bipolar disorder and patients who failed to adhere to prescribed medications also showed a higher propensity for suicidal behaviour.
Alcohol use was another significant factor. Patients who currently consumed alcohol were nearly twice as likely to engage in suicidal behaviour. This finding aligns with previous research suggesting that alcohol impairs judgment and exacerbates mental health crises, potentially leading to impulsive suicidal actions.
Of the participants, approximately 16.9% had attempted suicide at least once. Hanging was identified as the most common method of suicide attempt, followed by poisoning and drug overdose. The majority of these attempts occurred within the home, highlighting the importance of family involvement in prevention efforts. In over half of the cases, family members intervened, averting the suicide attempt. The data underscores the role of family and close social networks in both preventing and responding to mental health crises.
Despite the high prevalence of suicidal behaviours, access to adequate mental health care remains limited in Ethiopia. The study’s findings suggest that mental health services in public hospitals must incorporate regular risk assessments for suicidal behaviour, particularly for patients with depression, bipolar disorder, or those who misuse alcohol. There is also a critical need for improved medication adherence support, as non-compliance was a recurring theme in patients exhibiting suicidal tendencies.
