Adolescent suicide in Ghana: A content analysis of media reports

Figures & data

Figure 1.  Curve of cases of adolescent suicide from January 2001 through September 2014.

Table I Gender and method used.

	Method used to attempt or commit act
Gender	Hanging	Poisoning	Slitting	MNR	Total
Male	45.4% (20)	6.8% (3)	2.3% (1)	0.0% (0)	54.5% (24)
Female	25% (11)	4.5% (2)	0.0% (0)	2.3% (1)	31.8% (14)
GNR	2.3% (1)	0.0% (0)	0.0% (0)	11.3% (5)	13.6% (6)
Total	72.7% (32)	11.3% (5)	2.3% (1)	13.6% (6)	100% (44)

MNR: method used not reported; GNR: gender not reported.

Table II Place of act.

	Place
Suicide	Home	School	Farm	Uncompleted building	Police cell	PNR	Total
Attempted	2.3% (1)	2.3% (1)	2.3% (1)	0.0% (0)	2.3% (1)	0.0% (0)	9.1% (4)
Completed	59.0% (26)	4.5% (2)	4.5% (2)	6.8% (3)	0.0% (0)	15.9% (7)	90.9% (40)
Total	61.3% (27)	6.8% (3)	6.8% (3)	6.8% (3)	2.3% (1)	15.9% (7)	100% (44)

PNR: place of the act not reported.

Table III Educational background.

Suicide	Primary school	Junior high school	Senior high school	Drop Out	ENR	Total
Attempted	0.0% (0)	2.3% (1)	0.0% (0)	0.0% (0)	6.8% (3)	9.1% (4)
Completed	15.9% (7)	20.4% (9)	25% (11)	4.5% (2)	25% (11)	90.9% (40)
Total	15.9% (7)	22.7% (10)	25% (11)	4.5% (2)	31.8% (14)	100% (44)

ENR: educational background not reported.

Table IV Living situation of adolescent before suicide.

	Living (with)
Suicide	Both parents	Single parent	Extended relation(s)	Alone	Police cell	LNR	Total
Attempted	2.3% (1)	4.5% (2)	0.0% (0)	0.0% (0)	2.3% (1)	0.0% (0)	9.1% (4)
Completed	18.1% (8)	34% (15)	11.3% (5)	2.3% (1)	0.0% (0)	25% (11)	90.9% (40)
Total	20.4% (9)	38.6% (17)	11.3% (5)	2.3% (1)	2.3% (1)	25% (11)	100% (44)

LNR: living situation not reported.

Table V Harbinger of adolescent suicide.

Suicide	Behavioural change	Threat	Previous suicide attempt	No observable sign of suicidal intention	SNR	Total
Attempted	2.2% (1)	0.0% (0)	0.0% (0)	6.8% (3)	0.0% (0)	9.1% (4)
Completed	9.1% (4)	20.4% (9)	2.3% (1)	43.1% (19)	15.9% (7)	90.9% (40)
Total	11.3% (5)	20.4% (9)	2.3% (1)	50% (22)	15.9% (7)	100% (44)

Behavioural change: depressed, unusual behaviour, inactivity, desperate to kill self; Threat: victim threatened suicide to significant other (parents, peers, etc.) but threat ignored; SNR: sign of suicidal intention not reported.