Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation in a sample of urban Haiti residents

Abstract

There is a dearth of scientific knowledge regarding suicidal ideation (SI) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Haiti. We conducted a community survey with a convenience sample of 673 residents from Haiti’s Cité Soleil (January - June 2021) to address these gaps. Participants answered questions on SI, on ACEs from the ACE international questionnaire (ACE-IQ) section 5 abuse-related items, on adult experiences of non-partner sexual violence, on use of alcohol to manage stress and on trauma responses. Latent Class Analysis identified a five-class-model of poly-victimization ranging from Class 1 (no abuse) to Class 5 (combination of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse). SI prevalence was 65.3%. Women were nearly twice as likely as men to report SI (95% CI = 1.08–2.74). Class 1 comprised 25% of participants. Class 5 members were almost four times more likely to endorse SI than Class 1 members (95% CI = 1.52–9.10). Class 4 members were roughly four times more likely to endorse SI than Class 1 members. (95% CL = 1.83–7.81). Class 3 members were nearly twice as likely to endorse SI as Class 1 members (95% CI = 1.03–3.35). Participant survivors of NPSV were three times more likely to report SI than non-victims (95% CI = 1.61–5.67). Alcohol use to manage stress increased odds of SI by 1.59 (95% CI = 1.01–2.52). Hypervigilance increased the odds of SI by 3.21 (95% CI = 1.84–5.58). Limitations include recall bias, non-generalizability, use of self-reported data, and ACE-IQ’s limitations.

Early identification and prevention of SI, ACE, NPSV, alcohol use, and trauma are warranted.

Keywords:

• Haiti
• suicidal ideation
• adverse childhood experiences
• interpersonal violence
• non-partner sexual violence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)