Factors Associated With Suicidal Attempt Among School-Going Adolescents in Malaysia

• Published in: Asia-Pacific journal of public health 2019-11, Vol.31 (8), p.73S-79S
• Main Authors: Aziz, Fazly Azry Abdul, Razak, Mohamad Aznuddin Abd, Ahmad, Noor Ani, Awaluddin, S. Maria, Lodz, Noor Aliza, Sooryanarayana, Rajini, Shahein, Nik Adilah, Kasim, Noraida Mohamad, Wahab, Nor’ain Abd, Jamaluddin, Rasidah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Depression - epidemiology; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Malaysia - epidemiology; Male; Original Article; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Schools; Students - psychology; Students - statistics & numerical data; Suicide, Attempted - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 1010-5395; 1941-2479
• DOI: 10.1177/1010539519862161

Various factors contribute to suicidal attempt. This study aims to determine the relationship between suicidal attempt and its associated factors among school-going adolescents in Malaysia. Data from the National Health and Morbidity 2017 survey were analyzed. This survey was implemented as a nationwide school-based survey targeting adolescents 13 to 17 years old. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analysis was done using SPSS version 20. A total of 27 399 adolescents participated in this survey. The prevalence of suicidal attempt was 6.9% (95% confidence interval = 6.2-7.7). Multivariate analysis found that the odds of suicidal attempt among adolescent with depression is 4.3 (adjusted odds ratio = 4.3; 95% confidence interval = 3.9-4.8). Other significant factors are young adolescent, non-Malay ethnicities especially Indian, adolescent with parents living apart, and those without peer support and parental connectedness. A holistic approach for the planning of preventative strategies and public health policies should be made according to these risk factors.