PREVALENCE OF SUICIDE IDEATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES- TAMALE CAMPUS

Abstract

Suicide and its risk factors form important global and local public health problems. Majority of undergraduate university students’ fall within the most affected age group. Empirical research in this crucial area of public health is generally lacking, especially among undergraduate university students in Ghana. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicide ideation, its associated risk factors and risk factors that statistically predict suicide ideation among undergraduate students in UDS Tamale Campus. A cross sectional quantitative survey was done, using a structured online questionnaire to measure the prevalence of suicide ideation and its correlates among a 400 randomly sampled undergraduate students of the UDS Tamale Campus. Data was analysed with SPSS v26 and results were presented in charts, tables and cross-tabulations. A regression analysis was also done to model suicide ideation with socio-demographic variables. The prevalence of suicide ideation among the undergraduate students of the UDS Tamale Campus was 24.5%. Significant risk factors of suicide ideation found in the study were relationship problems, academic stress, victimization, substance use and the presence of mental health disorders. Suicide ideation was predicted with statistical significance by the presence of mental health disorder (OR = 11), victimization (OR = 3), academic stress (OR = 2), and relationship problems (OR = 2). Combined efforts involving University faculties, Counselling unit and administration are necessary in averting suicide ideation and its dreaded squeal of completed suicide.