Literacy and Stigma of Suicide among Medical Students of Bangladesh: Status and Associated Factors

Literacy and Stigma of Suicide among Medical Students

Authors

  • S M Yasir Arafat Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka-1340, Bangladesh.
  • Mohammad Muntasir Maruf National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Md Faruk Hossain Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka-1340, Bangladesh.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v48i3.62430

Keywords:

Suicide literacy, stigma, suicide in Bangladesh, medical students, stigma reduction

Abstract

Background: Literacy and stigma of suicide have been poorly assessed across the groups in Bangladesh even though they affect help-seeking behavior and have an enduring effect on suicide prevention.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the status of literacy and stigma of suicide along with associated factors among medical students of Bangladesh.

Methods: This study was conducted from January to June 2022 among 172 undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh by Google form. Literacy and stigma were assessed by the Bangla literacy of suicide scale (LOSS[1]B), and the Bangla stigma of suicide scale (SOSS-B).

Results: The mean age of the participants was 22.81 ± 1.8 (range 19-28) years, 64% were females, and 95% were unmarried. The LOSS-B score ranged from 0-10 with a mean of 4.72 ± 1.97. The literacy was significantly higher in married students, students with chronic physical illness and psychiatric disorder, lifetime suicidal thoughts, and suicidal thoughts in the past year while stigma was significantly lower among females, with mental disorders, with a family history of suicide attempts, and students with suicidal thoughts in a lifetime and past year.

Conclusions: The study determines the level of suicide literacy and stigma towards suicide among medical students of Bangladesh. Having history of previous mental health services consumption of mental health services and past suicidal behavior revealed a better level that indicates the effectiveness of mass media campaigns for raising awareness and reducing stigma.

Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2022; 48(3): 225-230

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Published

2023-05-30

How to Cite

Arafat, S. M. Y., Maruf, M. M., & Hossain, M. F. (2023). Literacy and Stigma of Suicide among Medical Students of Bangladesh: Status and Associated Factors: Literacy and Stigma of Suicide among Medical Students. Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, 48(3), 225–230. https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v48i3.62430

Issue

Vol. 48 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2022 SM Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Muntasir Maruf, Md Faruk Hossain

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