Mood Symptoms, Suicide, and Associated Factors Among Jimma Community. A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC follow-up clinic in Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022

Suicide is a worldwide concern and ranks as the third leading cause of death among individuals of reproductive age. According to many findings, Ethiopia remains to suffer with a considerable number of suicide deaths and attempts, so more research on the prevalence of suicidal ideation is necessary. Since there is limited research available about suicide ideation/attempts specifically from the study area, evidence-based and solution-oriented research is necessary. This study sought to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its contributing factors among pregnant women visited ante-natal care (ANC) at the University of Gondar Specialized Compressive Hospital. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 174 pregnant women who visit ante-natal care (ANC) at the University of Gondar Specialized Compressive Hospital, from June 01 to August 30, 2022. Participants were selected by using a systematic random sampling method. The World Mental Health (WMH) survey Initiative Version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to measure suicidal ideation and attempt. The data was entered into SPSS version 25 for analysis, and descriptive and inferential statistics were done. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempt among pregnant women. Variables with a P value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant with 95% CI. In the current study 174 pregnant women were screened, and 168 volunteered to participate with a response rate of 96.5%. The finding showed that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and a suicidal attempt was 5.4% (95% CI: 1.8-8.9) and 4.8% (95% CI: 1.8-8.9) respectively. Unplanned pregnancy [AOR: 1.9(1.22-0.88)], history of abortion [AOR: 2.5(1.5-12.6)], history of stillbirth [AOR: 2.32(1.7-13.2)], HIV status of seropositive [AOR: 1.5(01.2-16.0)] and history of lifetime substance use [AOR: 1.6(1.3-12.0)] were significant positive predictors of prevalence of suicidal ideation. The study finding shows that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt among pregnant women was low. Unplanned pregnancy, history of abortion, history of stillbirth, HIV status of seropositive, and history of lifetime substance use were variables significantly associated with suicidal ideation among pregnant women.

Suicidal behaviours and associated factors among residents of Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Suicidal behaviour is a major public health concern in Africa and a cause of premature mortality. The availability of community epidemiological data in Ethiopia is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of suicidal behaviour and its associated factors in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

Using the Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), a community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between September and November 2021. Multistage sampling was used to screen 636 participants for suicidal behaviour. The association between suicidal behaviour and other variables was explored using binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The overall estimated prevalence of suicidal behaviour of the respondents in the study was 7.9% (95% CI 5.9% to 10.3%), using the SBQ-R score (>7). One-third of the individuals with lifetime attempts encountered stigma. Multivariable logistic regression models indicated that being female (AOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.48 to 5.31), having depression (AOR 6.9, 95% CI 1.98 to 24.57), family history of mental illness (AOR 4.11, 95% CI 1.38 to 12.19), poor social support (AOR 3.86, 95% CI 1.23 to 12.15) and good coping efficacy (AOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.94))were significantly associated for suicidal behaviour with p value less than 0.05.

CONCLUSION

The overall prevalence of suicidal behaviour was relatively higher in this population than in other studies done in Ethiopia. In addition, the current study indicates the presence of suicide stigma, which further influences poor health-seeking behaviours. The factors significantly associated with suicidal behaviour in this study included being female, having a family history of mental illness, poor social support, poor coping self-efficacy and depressive symptoms. Findings warrant the attention of policy-makers in early screening of depression, developing preventive measures targeting risk factors and enhancing access to mental healthcare services.

A systematic review of rural community-based mental health interventions in the United States

BACKGROUND

Mental health impacts a person's quality of life and ability to engage in healthy behaviors. Rural communities in the United States have limited access to mental and behavioral health treatment.

AIM

To conduct a systematic review to identify existing rural community-based mental health interventions and identify commonalities and differences by extracting study attributes and intervention components.

METHODS

March 2022 CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Academic Search Complete were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria of rural, community-based mental health interventions in the United States.

RESULTS

Ten publications satisfied the criteria for this review. The most common intervention components identified were peer interaction, developed coping skills, and activity-based interventions.

CONCLUSION

While this review excluded a meta-analysis, it did illuminate the components of existing community-based mental health interventions and highlighted gaps in the current research. Our findings suggest that future community-based mental health interventions would benefit from the inclusion of peer interaction, coping skills development, activity-based, cultural & historical context, service referral, and spirituality.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among the General Population in Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Medical and socio-economic uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have had a substantial impact on mental health. This study aimed to systematically review the existing literature reporting the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the general populace in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine associated risk factors.

Methods

A systematic search of the following databases African Journal Online, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from database inception until 30th September 2021. Studies reporting the prevalence of anxiety and/or depression among the general populace in African settings were considered for inclusion. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Meta-analyses on prevalence rates were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software.

Results

Seventy-eight primary studies (62,380 participants) were identified from 2,325 studies via electronic and manual searches. Pooled prevalence rates for anxiety (47%, 95% CI: 40-54%, I2 = 99.19%) and depression (48%, 95% CI: 39-57%, I2 = 99.45%) were reported across Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sex (female) and history of existing medical/chronic conditions were identified as major risk factors for anxiety and depression.

Conclusions

The evidence put forth in this synthesis demonstrates the substantial impact of the pandemic on the pervasiveness of these psychological symptoms among the general population. Governments and stakeholders across continental Africa should therefore prioritize the allocation of available resources to institute educational programs and other intervention strategies for preventing and ameliorating universal distress and promoting psychological wellbeing.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021228023, PROSPERO CRD42021228023.