Prevalence of Suicide Ideation in Two Districts of Uganda

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Date
2005
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Archives of Suicide Research
Abstract
Suicide ideation is common in all communities but research on suicidal behavior in Sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported suicidal ideation in two contrasting districts of Uganda. The method employed was a systematic sample of 939 respondents residing in Adjumani and Bugiri districts, using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). Results indicated a higher rate of suicidal ideation in females, the unemployed and in Adjumani district. Consistent with other international studies, high rates of suicidal ideation were found in the Ugandan population. The higher prevalence of suicide ideation in the Adjumani District appears to be a symptom of psychosocial distress related to many years of social and political turmoil and the poor socio-economic conditions. In-depth observational studies are needed to fully understand the process of suicide ideation in Uganda.
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Keywords
Suicide ideation, Uganda, Adjumani, Bugiri, psychosocial
Citation
Emilio Ovuga , Jed Boardman & Danuta Wassermann (2005) Prevalence of Suicide Ideation in Two Districts of Uganda, Archives of Suicide Research, 9:4, 321-332, DOI: 10.1080/13811110500182018
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