Suicidal ideation, attempt, and determinants among medical students

Abstract Background Suicidal ideation and attempt are highly prevalent among medical students compared to the general population and negatively impacts the quality of life, physical, and mental well being of students. However, research into suicidal ideation and attempt among medical students in low and middle-income countries are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the suicide ideation and attempt and associated factors among medical students in Ethiopia.Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2019 at the University of Gondar among medical students. A simple random sampling technique used to get study units by their identification card. Suicide ideation and attempt were assessed by using World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to assess suicide ideation and attempt. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors between suicidal ideation and attempt with the explanatory variables at p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt among study participants was found to be 14% and 7.4% with 95% CI (10.9, 18.1) and (5.1, 10.2), respectively. In multivariate logistic regression; female sex (AOR: 5.21, 95% CI: 2.42, 11.20), depression (AOR: 10.12, 95% CI; 4.80, 21.52), current khat chewing (AOR: 4.46, 95% CI; 132, 15.02), and poor social support (AOR: 4.46, 95% CI: 1.43, 13.87) were factors significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Being female (AOR: 8.08, 95% CI: 3.04, 21.39), depression (AOR: 10.66, 95% CI; 4.01, 28.01 ) and history of mental illness (AOR: 5.53, 95% CI; 1.20, 25.50) were factors significantly associated with suicidal attempt.Conclusion In the current study, the prevalence of suicidal ideation among medical students was low compared to other studies, but the suicidal attempt was high. The University of Gondar better to instate a screening program for every medical student for early diagnosis and intervention of suicide ideation and attempt.