Adolescent Suicidality as Seen in Rural Northeastern Uganda

BACKGROUND: Suicidal behavior in adolescence is a public health concern and has serious consequences for adolescents and their families. There is, however, a paucity of data on this subject from sub-Saharan Africa, hence the need for this study. AIMS: A cross-sectional multistage survey to investigate adolescent suicidality among other things was undertaken in rural northeastern Uganda. METHODS: A structured protocol administered by trained psychiatric nurses collected information on sociodemographics, mental disorders (DSM-IV criteria), and psychological and psychosocial risk factors for children aged 3-19 years (N = 1492). For the purposes of this paper, an analysis of a subsample of adolescents (aged 10-19 years; n = 897) was undertaken. RESULTS: Lifetime suicidality in this study was 6.1% (95% CI, 4.6%-7.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Factors significantly associated with suicidality included mental disorder, the ecological factor district of residence, factors suggestive of low socioeconomic status, and disadvantaged childhood experiences.