Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Behaviour Among Adolescents in Southwest Nigeria

This study sought to establish the prevalence & associated psychosocial correlates of suicide ideation & attempts in Nigerian youth. Stratified sampling was used to identify youth aged 10-17 years who completed the Nigerian version of the Global School Health Questionnaire & the Diagnostic Predictive Scale. A total of 1429 youths participated. Over 20% reported suicide ideation & approximately 12% reported they had attempted suicide in the last year. Adolescents living in urban areas, from polygamous or disrupted families, had higher rates of suicidal behaviour. Factors such as sexual abuse, physical attacks, & involvement in physical fights were significant predictors of suicidal behaviours. (36 refs.)