title: Prevalence and risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among adolescents in Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suicidal ideation, defined as thoughts, ideas and the desire to commit suicide, is becoming a major public health problem among adolescents. Indeed, suicidal ideation is known as a key predictor of future suicide risk.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among adolescents in Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used data from the 2013 Malaysian adolescent health risk behavior (MyAHRB) study, a cross-sectional school survey conducted in Peninsular Malaysia among school-going adolescents aged 16-17 years (n=2789). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among Malaysian adolescents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation among the adolescents was 6.2%. The prevalence was significantly higher among females than males (7.6% vs. 4.7%; p=0.002). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that adolescents who were females [odds ratio (OR)=2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-2.92] or of Indian ethnicity (OR=2.32; 95% CI: 1.35-3.98) were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Loneliness (OR=2.54; 95% CI: 1.57-4.11), anxiety or worry (OR=2.70; 95% CI: 1.70-4.31), no close friends (OR=2.71; 95% CI: 1.43-5.14), and lack of supportive peers (OR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.15-2.47) were identified as risk factors for adolescents' suicidal ideation. Adolescents who ever had sexual intercourse (OR=2.70; 95% CI: 1.48-4.92) and had been in a physical fight (OR=2.45; 95% CI: 1.62-3.70) were also reported to have higher risks of suicidal ideation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence on risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among Malaysian adolescents. Targeted mental health and health risk behavioral interventions for high-risk adolescents are recommended.
authors: Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 50590 Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Ying Ying
authors: YY
authors: Chan
authors: Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Kuang Hock
authors: KH
authors: Lim
authors: Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Chien Huey
authors: CH
authors: Teh
authors: Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Chee Cheong
authors: CC
authors: Kee
authors: Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Sumarni Mohd
authors: SM
authors: Ghazali
authors: Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Kuang Kuay
authors: KK
authors: Lim
authors: Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Yi Yi
authors: YY
authors: Khoo
authors: Allied Health Sciences College Sungai Buloh, Ministry of Health, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Eng Ong
authors: EO
authors: Tee
authors: Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Noor Ani
authors: NA
authors: Ahmad
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Normala
authors: N
authors: Ibrahim
keywords: Malaysia; adolescents; suicidal ideation; suicide