RATES OF REPORTED SUICIDE AND SUICIDAL ATTEMPTS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN TAIF CITY, SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Among the Saudi population, the attributable population fraction of hopelessness, depression, and other risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts are unclear. The influence of hopelessness and depression is also reported to be minimized by social support. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the rate and correlations of reported suicidal attempts in psychiatric inpatients in The Mental Health Hospital, Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from the medical records of the participants. Results: A total of 21 participants were included in this study; 81% were females and with a mean age (33 ± 8.5). According to the modified Becks Suicide Intent scale score, most of them (75%) were at low risk, and 15% were at medium risk. The vast majority of the cases (95.2%) were suicidal attempts, and 4.2% committed suicide. Gender and nationality were significantly associated with the event type (P=0.035) and (P=0.012), respectively. We found a significant association between living alone and the event type (P=0.035), as the case who committed suicide (100%) and 15% of those who attempted suicide were living alone. Conclusion: We demonstrated a higher risk of attempting suicide than committing suicide in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. All of the participants were at low and medium risk of suicidal intention. The female participants were more frequent to commit suicide than the males.

Keywords; Suicidal attempts, committing suicide, Saudi Arabia.