Suicide Ideation in Jamaican Youth: Sociodemographic Prevalence, Protective and Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and examine the association between suicidal ideation and sociodemographic characteristics, protective and risk factors among Jamaican youth. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, an interviewer administered school-based survey was conducted among 2997 students 10-15 years old in Jamaica. Although there were a number of questions on suicide, this paper focusses on one question "During the past year did you ever seriously consider attempting suicide?" as the measure of suicidal ideation. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of suicidal ideation was 9.7%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that significant correlates of suicidal ideation were being female (odds ratio = 1.49), being depressed (odds ratio = 5.78), living in a rural area (odds ratio = 0.62), likes oneself (odds ratio = 0.58), indulging in aggressive behaviour (odds ratio = 1.43), has considered harming others (odds ratio = 3.11), protective factors in the home (odds ratio = 0.62), involvement in risky behaviour (odds ratio = 1.56) and being teased/bullied (odds ratio = 1.69). CONCLUSION: These findings have implication for prevention and treatment of suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents.