Prevalence of Suicidal Behaviors and Associated Factors among Patients with Epilepsy on Follow Up At Jimma University Medical center Neurology Clinic, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is defined by WHO as a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, unprovoked by an immediate identified cause.The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines Suicide attempt as self-injurious behavior with a nonfatal outcome accompanied by evidence (either explicit or implicit) that the person intended to die. Suicidal behaviors are frequently seen among PWE. As this patient population is usually neglected from research studies, this study aims to narrow the current gap of informationin Ethiopia regarding the burden of Suicidal Behaviors in people living with Epilepsy and identify factors which are significantly associated with Suicidal Behaviors in patients with epilepsy. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of suicidal behaviors and associated factors among PWE having follow-up at Jimma University medical center neurology clinic, June 2023 Methods: An institution-based cross sectional study was conducted.Source population: Consecutive sampling technique was used with an estimated sample size: n=251. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Independent variables with a p-value < 0.05 were declared to have statistically significant association with Suicidal Behaviors. Result:The magnitude of suicidal behavior in patients with Epilepsy in this study was found to be 19.8% (95%CI: 15.2-23.4)Divorced/windowed participants were 5.78 times more likely to have suicidal behavior than respondents who were married (AOR=5.78, 95% CI: 1.93, 17.30). Respondents who had depression were 6.86 times more likely to have suicidal behavior than respondents who had no depression (AOR=6.86, 95% CI: 2.03-13.24). Patients who had anxiety were 4.30 times higher likely to have suicidal behavior than participants who had no anxiety (AOR=4.30, 95% CI: 1.53-12.15).Other factors that were associated with suicidal behavior include poor social support and perceived stigma. Conclusion:This study showed that suicidal behaviors were common among patients with epilepsy. Screening for suicidal behaviors and associated factors such as depression and anxiety in epileptic patients can improve the outcome of such patients. Caregivers must be cognizant of the effects of perceived stigma and lack of social support on the outcome of such patients.