Prevalence and Associated Factors of Suicidal Ideation and Suicidal Attempts among Undergraduate Students at the 6-Kilo Campus of Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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2026-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of suicidal behaviors and identify factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among undergraduate students at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 337 undergraduate students selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using standardized self-administered questionnaires, including the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire–Revised (SBQ-R), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21), and the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSS-3). Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model, and statistical significance was declared at p < .05 with 95% confidence intervals. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts was 44.8%, 9.8%, and 4.5%, respectively. Furthermore, 21.4% of participants reported experiencing suicidal ideation during the previous 12 months, while 22.6% were identified as being at risk for suicide based on the SBQ-R cut-off score. Suicidal ideation was significantly associated with male sex, a family history of suicide, moderate to extremely severe depression, extremely severe anxiety, and poor social support. The findings indicate that suicidal behaviors constitute a substantial public health concern among university students. Psychological distress, inadequate social support, and a family history of suicide emerged as key factors associated with suicidal ideation. These findings underscore the need to strengthen university-based mental health services, early screening initiatives, and psychosocial support programs to reduce the burden of suicidal behaviors among students.
Keywords: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, undergraduate students, suicidal behavior, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt
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Keywords
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, undergraduate students, suicidal behavior, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt