Suicidal tendencies and its association with psychoactive use predictors among university students in Uganda: A cross-sectional study
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Health Sciences
Abstract
Background: Globally, suicide is one of the leading causes of death, and approximately 80% of all suicides occur in lowand
middle-income countries. Younger people in Africa are at a higher risk of suicide than others.
Objective: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal tendencies among undergraduate university students
using alcohol and other psychoactive substances.
Methods: Convenient sampling was used to identify 400 students who participated in the study. Socio-demographic and
Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview tools were used to obtain information. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4
and presented in descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Among the respondents, 80% were male, and 85% were using marijuana. 6.3% had suicidal tendencies. Respondents
from the northern region had more suicidal tendencies than other regions, and unemployed students had more suicidal
tendencies than those employed. After multivariate analysis, being abusive and dependent on other psychoactive substances
was associated with suicidality. And having dependence on both alcohol and other psychoactive substances was associated
with suicidality.
Conclusion: Suicidality screening and psychosocial support should be provided to this vulnerable population. Efforts There
is a need to strengthen, implement more effective preventive strategies to reduce the use of alcohol and other psychoactive
substances.
Description
Keywords
Suicidal tendencies, Psychoactive use, University students, Uganda
Citation
Wesonga, S., Osingada, C., Nabisere, A., Nkemijika, S., & Olwit, C. (2021). Suicidal tendencies and its association with psychoactive use predictors among university students in Uganda: a cross-sectional study. African Health Sciences, 21(3), 1418-1427. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i3.53