Teris Cheung1, Paul H Lee1, Paul S F Yip2. 1. School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. 2. Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Abstract
AIMS: The study estimates the prevalence and examines the socio-economic and psychological correlates of suicidality among professional nurses in Hong Kong. BACKGROUND: Suicide rates among middle-aged employed groups have been increasing over the past few decades. There is a concern that medical occupational groups worldwide are at elevated risk of suicide. Nonetheless there are few population-based studies of suicide dealing with working-age Asian nurses. DESIGN: The study uses a cross-sectional survey design. METHOD: Data were collected in Hong Kong over 4 weeks from October-November 2013. Statistical methods including descriptive analysis and univariate and multivariate cumulative logit modelling were used to examine the weighted prevalence rates of past-year suicidality and its associated factors in nurses. RESULTS: A total of 850 nurses participated in the study; 14·9% of participants had contemplated suicide while 2·9% had attempted suicide once or more in the past year. Women report suicidal thoughts or attempts more often than men. Religion, poor health, deliberate self-harm, depressive symptoms and poor self-perceived physical and mental health were significantly associated with nurses' suicidality. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse professionals are not immune from mental health issues. Hong Kong's local health authority should put in place a raft of suicide prevention initiatives to promote mental wellness in the profession.
AIMS: The study estimates the prevalence and examines the socio-economic and psychological correlates of suicidality among professional nurses in Hong Kong. BACKGROUND: Suicide rates among middle-aged employed groups have been increasing over the past few decades. There is a concern that medical occupational groups worldwide are at elevated risk of suicide. Nonetheless there are few population-based studies of suicide dealing with working-age Asian nurses. DESIGN: The study uses a cross-sectional survey design. METHOD: Data were collected in Hong Kong over 4 weeks from October-November 2013. Statistical methods including descriptive analysis and univariate and multivariate cumulative logit modelling were used to examine the weighted prevalence rates of past-year suicidality and its associated factors in nurses. RESULTS: A total of 850 nurses participated in the study; 14·9% of participants had contemplated suicide while 2·9% had attempted suicide once or more in the past year. Women report suicidal thoughts or attempts more often than men. Religion, poor health, deliberate self-harm, depressive symptoms and poor self-perceived physical and mental health were significantly associated with nurses' suicidality. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse professionals are not immune from mental health issues. Hong Kong's local health authority should put in place a raft of suicide prevention initiatives to promote mental wellness in the profession.
Authors: Mark Mohan Kaggwa; Innocent Arinaitwe; Moses Muwanguzi; Elicana Nduhuura; Jonathan Kajjimu; Moses Kule; Sarah Maria Najjuka; Rahel Nkola; Noble Ajuna; Nicholas Kisaakye Wamala; Ivan Machacha; Mohammed A Mamun; Cyrus Su-Hui Ho; Mark D Griffiths; Godfrey Zari Rukundo Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 3.630