![]() Suicidal behaviours are common among university students with pooled prevalence rates of 22.3% for suicidal ideation, 6.1% for suicide plans, and 3.2% for suicide attempts. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29 years, the age group in which most undergraduate university students are found. In Uganda, the suicide rate was 4.6 per 100,000 people in 2018, and many university students die by suicide. The African region has a higher suicide rate (12.0 per 100,000) than the global average (10.5 per 100,000), and has the third highest suicide rate following Europe and South-East Asia. One in every 100 deaths globally is due to suicide. ![]() ![]() Based on the present study, for students at risk, universities should provide appropriate interventions such as life skills education and suicide prevention techniques. University students have prevalent suicide behaviours especially among students with a chronic physical medical condition, a history of sexual abuse, and problems paying university tuition fees. The most common method used for attempted suicide was a drug overdose, and the most common location for attempted suicide was their homes. Suicide attempts were associated with having a history of sexual abuse and having difficulty paying university tuition fees. Individuals feeling satisfied with academic performance appeared to be a protective factor against having suicide plans. However, being in the fifth year of university education, and feeling satisfied with current academic grades reduced the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was associated with having difficulty paying university tuition fees. Having a chronic physical medical condition increased the likelihood of having all forms of suicidal behaviours. The prevalence of past-year suicidal behaviours was 31.85% for suicidal ideation, 8.15% for suicide plans, and 6.11% for suicide attempts. Three independent regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with different forms of suicidal behaviours. The survey also investigated the suicide attempt/plan method, location of the suicidal activity, and reason for not enacting the suicide plan. Questions from the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to assess suicidal ideation, while other bespoke questions were used to assess suicide plans and attempts. MethodsĬross-sectional study data were collected from May to September 2021 from 540 undergraduate university students in south-western Uganda (363 males, mean age 23.3 years). To explore the prevalence and associated factors for suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among university students in Uganda. Moreover, suicidal behaviours among students appear to have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to some studies. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among university students often resulting from multiple physical and psychological challenges. ![]()
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