Epidemiology of non-fatal suicidal behavior among first-year university students in South Africa

Abstract

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We used a cross-sectional web-based survey and discrete-time survival analysis with person-year as unit of analysis and retrospective age-of-onset reports to estimate prevalence and predictors of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt, and transitions from ideation to plan and attempt among South African university students (n = 1402). The lifetime prevalence of ideation, plan, and attempt were 46.4% (n = 650), 26.5% (n = 372), and 8.6% (n = 120), respectively. Multiple temporally primary mental disorders predicted subsequent onset of suicidality and transitions from ideation to plan and attempt. Results highlight the need for campus-based suicide prevention in South Africa, vulnerability of historically disadvantaged students, and the importance of promoting mental health in suicide prevention.

Acknowledgments

Daniel Page, (Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa), assisted with the literature search.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Data availability

Additional unpublished data relevant to this publication are available by emailing the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the MRC Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders and a grant from the South African Medical Research Council (career development award to J. Bantjes). The research was also supported by a post-doctoral funding made available by Stellenbosch University to W. Saal and a grant from the Ithemba Foundation (awarded to J. Roos).

The work herein was made possible through funding by the South African Medical Research Council via its Division of Research Capacity Development under the Mid-Career Scientist Programme (awarded to J. Bantjes) and funds received from the MRC Unit on Risk and Resillience in Mental Disorders. The research was also supported by a post-doctoral funding made available by Stellenbosch University to W. Saal and a grant from the Ithemba Foundation (awarded to J. Roos).