TITLE:
Suicidality in Major Depressive Disorder in a Nigerian Psychiatric Hospital—Is There Any Relationship?
AUTHORS:
Sunday Onyemaechi Oriji, Bawo Onesirosan James, Paul Ojieiriaikhi Erohubie, Justus Uchenna Onu, Theclar Ogochukwu Iyidobi, Obumneme Kenechukwu Nwiyi, Chijioke Chimbo, Richard Uwakwe
KEYWORDS:
Suicidality, Poor Sleep Quality, Symptom Severity, Depression
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Depression,
Vol.10 No.2,
May
18,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: There
is increasing resurgence of suicide globally, especially in developing
countries, probably owing to socio-economic instability. Majority of suicidal
phenomenon is attributed to depressive disorders, which significantly
contribute to the global burden of diseases. Aim: This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of suicidality (suicidal
ideation and attempts) among adult outpatients with major depression at
Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Benin City, Nigeria. Method: A
cross-sectional study conducted between
March and June 2018 utilizing systematic random sampling of eligible participants, aged between 18 and 64
years. One hundred and thirty-two patients with major depression, with
their diagnosis confirmed with the Depression
module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) were
recruited. A Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, the Brief Psychiatric Rating
Scale (BPRS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Suicidality Module
of MINI were administered to consented participants. Results: The past
month prevalence of suicidality and suicidal ideation were 47.7% (n = 63) and
36.4% (n = 48) respectively. While, the lifetime prevalence of suicidal
attempts was 18.2% (n = 24), the current suicidal ‘moderate-high risk’ was
12.1% (n = 16). Participants were 35% more likely to report suicidality for
every unit increase in symptom severity (BPRS score) (aOR 1.35; 95% CI 1.20 - 1.52, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Suicidality is
common among outpatients with major depression at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric
Hospital, Benin City. Severity of psychopathology was an independent risk
factor for suicidality in depressive disorder.