Suicidal Thought and Behaviors among Junior and Senior Medical Students

Fariba Fallah Tafti; Hamid  Owliaey; Reza Bidaki; Naser   Dashtie

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v6i1.9522

Fariba Fallah Tafti Department of Medical Science, Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran.
Hamid Owliaey Forensic Medicine Department, Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran.
Reza Bidaki Psychiatry Department, Research Center of Addiction and Behavioral Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Yazd, Iran.
Naser Dashtie Psychiatry Department, Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v6i1.9522

Keywords: Suicidal Ideation; Medical students; Beck Suicide Thought questionnaire, Harmful Behavior.

Abstract

Background: Youth suicide is a major public health concern. Suicide statistics show an increase in the suicide rates among young students including medical students. To explore self-harming behavior among medical students at Yazd Azad University.

Methods: Suicidal ideation in medical students studying at Yazd Azad University was explored within a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 200 students. For comparison purposes, the sample was divided into two groups of seniors (student intake from 2013/14), and juniors (student intake from 2017/18). Beck Suicide scale was used to measure suicidal behavior.

Results: We found 16% of the participants exhibited suicidal ideation, of whom 87.5% demonstrated a low desire to commit suicide and 12.5% had a strong desire to commit suicide. In this data set, the relationship between “suicidal ideation” and “gender, marital status and grade” appeared statistically significant.

Conclusion: To protect against suicide and reverse the rising trend, preventive strategies must focus on supporting students to feel comfortable in talking about their suicidal thoughts.