Abstract

SUICIDE IDEATION AND ATTEMPTS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Author(s): Sulhi Alfakeh*, Albatool Balkhair, Felwa Alotaibi, Ghaidaa Baothman, Joud Alsolami, Manar Alzahrani, Refan Alsaeed and Sarah Sultan

Introduction: There are few limited studies on the rate of suicidal thoughts and attempts between students in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia.

Aim: We sought to assess the rate of suicide ideation and attempts between students at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between 2019 and 2022, with 3,514 participants aged between 17 and 25 years. Data were obtained using an electroni questionnaire based on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. All statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.

Results and Discussion: Of the 3,514 students who completed the questionnaire, 1,324 were male and 2,190 were female; 8.4% had attempted suicide in the past year, and 23.4% had thought of suicide in the past year. We noted a strong relationship between depression level and suicidal thoughts. Over 68 respondents had been diagnosed with severe depression, and 58.8% had attempted suicide in the past year. Suicidal thoughts and attempts were also strongly related to anxiety; 246 students had been diagnosed with anxiety in the previous year.

Conclusion: One of the leading reasons of mortality among adolescents is suicide. Early follow-up can enhance mental health and quality of life.

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