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Prevalence and correlates of adolescent self-injurious thoughts and behaviors: A population-based study in Burkina Faso

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  • Tracie I Ebalu
  • Jaclyn C Kearns
  • Lucienne Ouermi
  • Mamadou Bountogo
  • Ali Sié
  • Till Bärnighausen
  • Guy Harling

Abstract

Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) are a growing concern among youth in sub-Saharan Africa, but their prevalence and correlates in this region are poorly understood. We therefore examined self-reported SITBs in a population-representative sample of youth in rural Burkina Faso. We used interviews from 1,538 adolescents aged 12 to 20 years living in 10 villages and 1 town in northwestern Burkina Faso. Adolescents were asked about their experiences with suicidal and nonsuicidal SITBs, adverse environmental factors, psychiatric symptoms, and interpersonal-social experiences. SITBs included lifetime prevalence of life is not worth living, passive suicide ideation, active suicide ideation, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). After describing SITB prevalence, we ran logistic and negative binomial regression models to predict SITBs. Weighted lifetime SITB prevalence estimates were: 15.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.7–18.0) for NSSI; 15.1% (95% CI: [13.2, 17.0]) for life is not worth living; 5.0% (95% CI [3.9, 6.0]) for passive suicide ideation; and 2.3% (95% CI [1.6, 3.0]) for active suicide ideation. Prevalence of life is not worth living increased with age. All four SITBs were significantly positively associated with mental health symptoms (depression symptoms, probable posttraumatic stress disorder) and interpersonal-social experiences (peer and social connectedness, physical assault, sexual assault and unwanted sexual experiences). Females were significantly more likely to report that their life was not worth living compared to males (aOR = 0.68; 95% CI [0.48, 0.96]). There is a high prevalence of SITBs among youth in rural Burkina Faso, most notably NSSI and life is not worth living, with interpersonal-social factors being the strongest predictors. Our results highlight the need for longitudinal SITB assessment to understand how risk for SITBs operates in resource-constrained settings, and to design interventions to mitigate risk. Given low school enrollment in rural Burkina Faso, it will be important to consider youth suicide prevention and mental health initiatives that are not school-based.

Suggested Citation

  • Tracie I Ebalu & Jaclyn C Kearns & Lucienne Ouermi & Mamadou Bountogo & Ali Sié & Till Bärnighausen & Guy Harling, 2023. "Prevalence and correlates of adolescent self-injurious thoughts and behaviors: A population-based study in Burkina Faso," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(7), pages 1626-1635, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:69:y:2023:i:7:p:1626-1635
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640231175778
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank, 2017. "World Development Indicators 2017," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 26447.
    2. Sayouba OUEDRAOGO, 2018. "Determinants of Employability of Young People Aged 15-29 in Burkina Faso," Applied Economics and Finance, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(5), pages 10-22, September.
    3. Olayinka Omigbodun & Nisha Dogra & Oluyomi Esan & Babatunde Adedokun, 2008. "Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Behaviour Among Adolescents in Southwest Nigeria," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(1), pages 34-46, January.
    4. Srinagesh Mannekote Thippaiah & Muralidhara Shankarapura Nanjappa & Jayasudha G. Gude & Emanuel Voyiaziakis & Sohum Patwa & Badari Birur & Ananda Pandurangi, 2021. "Non-suicidal self-injury in developing countries: A review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(5), pages 472-482, August.
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