Suicide among Reproductive-Age Women in Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Suicide is one of the global burdens of morbidity and mortality in all reproductive-age women population groups across the world. It is one of the most significant contributors to the global burden of illness and a cause of morbidity. This study is aimed at finding out how it occurred and what risk factors were related to suicidal ideation and attempts among women in the reproductive-age group. 

Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted using a multistage cluster sampling technique to get a total of 590 study participants from March to April 2021. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed in bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. Variables with a p value <0.05 were declared to be associated risk factors with the outcome variable. 

Results. A total of 590 of the 598 sampled women participated, with a response rate of 98.7%. A one-month prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt was 2.9% (95% CI: 1.5%, 4.4%) and 2.5% (95% CI: 1.4%, 3.7%), respectively. Intimate partner violence (AOR=4.69, 95% CI: 1.53, 14.45), depression (AOR=3.11, 95% CI: 1.11, 9.85), and history of mental illness (AOR=5.18, 95% CI: 1.55, 17.32) were associated risk factors for suicide ideation. Anxiety (AOR=3.55, 95% CI: 1.17, 10.81), being unmarried (AOR=4.39, 95% CI: 1.49, 12.87), and history of mental illness (AOR=7.95, 95% CI: 2.42, 26.15) were associated risk factors for suicide attempts. 

Conclusion. SI and SA are prevalent in reproductive-age women. Intimate partner violence, depression, anxiety, a history of mental illness, and being single were associated factors. This implies that providing relevant information, education, and continuing support is very crucial for reproductive-age group women to decrease the incidence and risk factors of suicide.