Prevalence and Predictors of Suicidality Among Medical Students in A Public University
- Author:
Tan Siew Tin
;
Sherina Mohd Sidik
;
Lekhraj Rampal
;
Normala Ibrahim
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Suicidality;
prevalence;
predictors;
medical students;
public university;
Malaysia
- MeSH:
Students, Medical;
Depression
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2015;70(1):1-5
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Undergraduate medical students have been
the most distressed group among the student population.
Depression and anxiety have been found to be more
prevalent in this group of students compared to others.
Objective: This study was conducted to determine the
prevalence and predictors of suicidality among
undergraduate medical students in a public university.
Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study,
conducted in a public university in Selangor, Malaysia. Data
were collected using self-administered questionnaires from
January to February 2013, and analysed using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences Software (version 21).
Results: Out of 625 undergraduate medical students, 537
(85.9%) participated in the study. The prevalence of the
suicidality among undergraduate medical students was
7.0%. The significant predictors of suicidality based on
multiple logistic regression were the respondent’s lifetime
suicide attempts (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 10.4, 95% CI 2.7
to 40.9); depression (AOR 5.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 23.0); breaking
off a steady love relationship (AOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 22.4);
hopelessness (AOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 21.6); and something
valued being lost or stolen (AOR 4.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 15.9).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that mental health care
services should be strengthened at university level. The
results show a need for an intervention programme to
reduce suicidality among the undergraduate medical
students.
- Full text:P020150724514426151905.pdf
