Self-reported suicidal behavior and attitudes toward suicide and suicide prevention among psychology students in Ghana, Uganda, and Norway.
Self-reported suicidal behavior and attitudes toward suicide in psychology students are reported and compared in Ghana, Uganda, and Norway. Small differences only were found in own suicidal behavior. However, experience of suicidal behavior in the surroundings was more common in Uganda than in Ghana and Norway. Although differences were found between the three countries in attitudes toward suicide, which emphasizes the need for culture-sensitive research and prevention, many of the differences were not as big as expected. The most pronounced difference was that the Norwegian students were more reluctant to take a stand on these questions compared to their African counterparts. Some differences were also found between the two African countries. The implications of the results for suicide prevention in Africa are discussed.
Hjelmeland
Heidi
H
Department of Social Work and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Heidi.Hjelmeland@svt.ntnu.no
Akotia
Charity S
CS
Owens
Vicki
V
Knizek
Birthe L
BL
Nordvik
Hilmar
H
Schroeder
Rose
R
Kinyanda
Eugene
E
D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011584:Psychology / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology