Abstract:
Background: Suicidal behavior is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Being in
correctional institution is continues to be associated with an under-recognized risk for suicidal
behavior. The increased risk of suicidal behavior in correctional institution is because of several
factors including prison related, psychiatric disorders and substance use related factors are
belived to be associated, however currently, to my understanding I couldn’t get study done to
address this issue in Jimma town correctional institution.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behavior among
prisoners in Jimma town correctional institution; south west Ethiopia 2017.
Methods: An Institutional based cross-sectional study design was employing among 336
prisoners in Jimma town correctional institution in 2017. Systematic random sampling technique
was used. A structured pretested SBQ-R questioner was used and the data was collected with a
face to face interview. Data was entered in to Epi-data version 3.1, and then exported in to SPSS
version 21.0 statistical package for analysis.Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were
carried to examine the association between independent and dependent variables. Adjusted odds
ratio at a p-value <0.05 with 95% CI was declared statistically significant.
RESULTS: The response rate for this study was 98.8%. In this study, the prevalence and
predictors of suicidal behaviors were assessed. Accordingly, the overall prevalence of suicidal
behaviors was found to be 23.2% .While the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, intent and
attempts were 16.6%, 11.4%, 9.3% respectively. Age group between 25-34 years
(AOR=2.47,95% CI: 1.307,4. 655), being unemployed (AOR= 2.13, 95% CI: 1.175,3.849),
current comorbid depression (AOR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.203,3.762), current poor level of social
support (AOR=2.95, 95%CI:1.107,7.882) and history of previous incarceration (AOR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.247,7.418), were associated with suicidal behavior among prisoners in Jimma town
correctional institution. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: in this study suicidal behavior is found to be
high among prisoners than in the general population. According to the finding of this study
attention should be given to prisoners through prison health services in early screening and
treatment including referral of suicide as mental health problem particularly for those who are on
younger age group, unemployed, prisoners with co morbid depressive disorders, having poor
social support and previous incarceration.
