Psychosocial Risk Factors for Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents in Informal Settlements of Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Suicidal Behavior (SB) is a precursor to eventual death by suicide. Hence, in suicide preventive effort there’s the need for accurate identification of those at risk. The main objective of this study was to assess the psychosocial risk factors for SB among adolescents in the informal settlements of Nairobi. The study used quasi-experimental design and results are at baseline analysis. High-school students aged between 14-22 years old from the informal settlements of Nairobi were targeted. Four high schools were purposively sampled and data was drawn from the 1,040 respondents in the entire school population who were screened at baseline. Data was collected using Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Data analyzed using SPSS version 24 software was presented in tables and results were discussed. The findings revealed DD and PTSD as significant (p<0.001) risk factors for SB. Separate logistic models established the following life stressors as psychosocial risk factors (p<0.001) for SB in the following order of severity; hopelessness and worthlessness, relationship problems, traumatic experiences, mental disturbances, family problems, alcohol or substance abuse, physical illness, academic challenges, financial problems and death of dear ones. Considering these risk factors, psycho-education on SB among adolescents is imperative for early detection of those at risk. This would lead to timely intervention for the prevention of suicide.