PREVALENCE OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUTH AGED BETWEEN 15-35 YEARS ATTENDING THE YOUTH CENTER AT TABAKA MISSION HOSPITAL, KENYA

JOSEPH KHIYANIRI; JOHN GACHOI; ELIZABETH MITAKI; REGINA ONYANGO

JOSEPH KHIYANIRI School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
JOHN GACHOI Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
ELIZABETH MITAKI Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
REGINA ONYANGO Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Keywords: Suicide, Suicidal behaviour, Prevalence, Kisii County

Abstract

Suicidal behavior is a major public health problem. As it has for decades, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the western world. This study was done to determine the prevalence of suicidal behaviors among the youth aged between 15 years to 35 years attending the youth centre at Tabaka Mission hospital, Gucha south sub county of Kisii county, Kenya. The research stems from an ever-increasing concern with trends in terms of actual and attempted suicides locally, more particularly among school children and young couples. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative study methods making use of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. There were 121 study participants sampled through purposive sampling technique. Data was analyzed quantitatively using SPSS software version 26.0. Chi square tests, multivariate and bivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The results were presented in tables with p- values.

This study found a 34.7% prevalence of suicidal behavior among the youth who were attending the youth clinic at Tabaka Mission Hospital. Averagely the SBQ-R score of the 121 informers was 6.68 ± 5.23. There was significant association between gender and suicidal behavior with females being at greater risk (p = 0.05). Higher education levels was associated with a greater suicide risk (p = 0.034). A family history of abuse (p = 0.006) and psychiatric illness (p = 0.001) were noted to contribute to suicidal behavior. Other suicidal behaviour factors reported were; loneliness, depression, marital infidelity, family stresses, Substance use and being an orphan. Environmental factors like social media competition, bullying, domestic violence, and cyberbullying were also reported induce suicidal behaviour. The findings of this study can be utilized by both caregivers and clinicians in understanding patients at risk of suicide and how to support them. The results could also trigger advocacy against the vice with the aim of reducing the burden on affected individuals, caregivers and healthcare professionals to curb such high rates of suicidal behavior and suicide attempts in local settings.

Author Biographies

JOSEPH KHIYANIRI, School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

JOHN GACHOI, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

ELIZABETH MITAKI, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

REGINA ONYANGO, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

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