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Suicidal behavior among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh: findings of the global school-based student health survey

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Abstract

Purpose

Suicidal behavior, defined as non-fatal suicidal thoughts and behaviors that include having suicide ideation, plan, and attempts, is a leading cause of injury and death among adolescents globally. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of and the factors associated with suicidal behavior among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh.

Methods

This study utilized data from the 2014 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), Bangladesh. A sample of (n = 2989) school-going adolescents aged 11–18 years was selected for this study. Risk factors of suicidal behavior were identified using a generalized estimating equation-modified Poison regression approach.

Results

The age-adjusted prevalence of suicidal behavior among adolescents in Bangladesh was 11.7%. The result indicated that individual psychosocial factors such as loneliness [adjusted risk ratio (ARR) 1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.81], anxiety (ARR 2.01; 95% CI 1.43–2.81), being bullied (ARR 1.88; 95% CI 1.51–2.33), and having no close friends (ARR 2.30; 95% CI 1.77–2.97) were associated with increased likelihood of suicidal behavior. Health-risk behaviors such as ever having sexual intercourse, alcohol and drug abuse, and social–environmental factors, such as rare parental homework check, and lack of peer support were found to be positively associated with adolescents’ suicidal behavior. Additionally, a dose–response relationship is observed between the experience of multiple adverse psychosocial factors and suicidal behavior.

Conclusion

Suicidal behavior is prevalent among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh. This study underscores the importance of early screening and interventions targeted to adolescents at risk, which might reduce the suicide rate among this population in Bangladesh.

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Acknowledgements

This analysis uses data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). GSHS is supported by the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh

    Md. Mostaured Ali Khan, Md. Mosfequr Rahman, Md. Rafiqul Islam, Masud Karim & Mahmudul Hasan

  2. Department of Sociology and Psychology, University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA

    Syeda S. Jesmin

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  1. Md. Mostaured Ali Khan
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  2. Md. Mosfequr Rahman
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  3. Md. Rafiqul Islam
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Contributions

MMAK and MMR conceptualized the study, analyzed the data, interpreted the findings, and prepared the first draft. MRI, MK, and MH had an input in the conception and execution of the study and drafting the manuscript. SSJ critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Md. Mosfequr Rahman.

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Khan, M.A., Rahman, M., Islam, M. et al. Suicidal behavior among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh: findings of the global school-based student health survey. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 55, 1491–1502 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01867-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01867-z

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