Prevalence of suicidal ideation among sample of university undergraduate students in southwestern Nigeria
Abstract:Background:
Suicidal ideation among university students is a public health concern. It is found to complicate suicide itself. Decedents would
have had terrible crippling thoughts about killing themselves before doing so. Prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation
especially among university students are scarce in Nigeria as the focus is more on actual suicide.
Objective:
, this study aimed to report the prevalence and potential sociodemographic factors of suicidal ideation among sample of
undergraduate students in selected Nigerian universities.
Methods:
This was an institution-based cross-sectional study that collected data from 2702 participants across six universities in
the southwest geopolitical zone in Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching
Hospital Research Ethics Committee.
Results:
The study revealed that suicidal ideation was more severe among females than males, 26-30 agers than other age groups,
and self-identified African Traditional Religious practitioners than Christians or Muslims in a sample of undergraduate
students in the university.
Conclusions:
Suicidal thoughts were more common in females, students between the ages of 26 and 30, and self-described
adherents of African Traditional Religion than in other groups.