Prevalence  and Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Mentally Ill Patients in Psychiatry OPD at St. Paulo’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Every year, more than 800,000 people die due to suicide (one person every 40 s), ranking as the second leading cause of death next to traffic accidents between 15–29 years of age. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among mentally ill patients. Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from December/2019 to January/2020. Data was collected by using a convenient sampling technique until the required sample size was achieved. The total sample size was 385. Suicidal Behavavior Quistionnare Revised (SBQ-R), Oslo scale and self-prepared to assess suicide.Data collection was by psychiatry professionals through face-to face interview. Data was analyzed, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were conducted by using SPSS version 23. Result: A total of 385 patients were participated in the study. Of these, 216 (56%) were males. The prevalence of suicide ideation was 255 (66.2%). The odds of suicidal ideation and attempt was almost three times higher [AOR=2.79, 95% CI (1.11, 6.98)] among patients who felt hopeless, OR was around two times higher [AOR= 2.44, 95% CI (1.17, 5.08) among patients who had family history of suicide, the OR is almost three times higher [AOR= 2.56, 95% CI (1.00, 6.53)] among patients who stopped their medication, the OR is around two times higher [AOR= 2.25, 95% CI (1.14, 4.46)], the OR of suicidal ideation and attempts was almost six and four times higher [ AOR= 5.86, 95% CI (1.30, 26.41) and AOR= 3.61, 95% CI (1.01, 12.88)] among patients who educate primary and secondary level education respectively. Conclusion: In this study, which was performed in Ethiopia, suicidal ideation and attempt common problems among males than females. And the prevalence of suicide ideation and attempts were showing a significant public health issue among hospital attending and chronic mentally ill patients’ adolescents that requires a great emphasis. And we recommend that suicide prevention needs to involve non-governmental and non-profit organizations, universities, and civil society at different levels.