Exploring the risk factors associated with suicidal behaviours among students enrolled in a selected university in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Abstract

Suicide is a major cause of death worldwide, especially among young people aged 15 to 29 years.
The study aimed to explore the risk factors associated with suicidal behaviours among students
enrolled in a selected university in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. A quantitative descriptive
design was used to administer the 25- item Suicide Screening Questionnaire-Self Rating (SSQSR) to172 student respondents in the studied university. Stata 14.1 (Stata CorpStata Corp LP,
College Station, Texas, USA) was used to analyse field data. All the six items that were
statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) through bivariate and multivariate models of logistic
regression to exacerbate suicidal behaviours among students are reported. The study’s takeaway conclusion is depression or lethargy in everything being statistically significant in both model
tests conducted. As such, the study recommends the development of targeted public health
responses towards depression or lethargy for mental health-challenged students.