Suicidal ideation and associated factors among school-going adolescents in rural Ghana

Abstract Suicidal ideation is a critical risk for attempted suicide and eventual suicide. Little known about suicidal among rural adolescents in most sub-Saharan African countries. We aimed to estimate the 12-month prevalence of describe some common gender-specific associated factors in-school Ghana. conducted cross-sectional survey involving random sample 1101 aged 10–19 years district Eastern The Behavior Questionnaire-Revised was used assess ideation. Overall, 25.1% participants (95% CI = 22.5–27.7), representing 28.3% females 24.7–32.2) 21.5% males 18.0–25.2) reported during previous 12 months. Females who experienced personal interpersonal adversities mainly outside family context were likely report ideation, while with conflict parents. Regardless gender, exposure friend’s two times more Ghana compares estimates from other countries within Africa, but also underscores need targeted universal prevention programmes intervention efforts mitigate potential transition ideations attempts deaths by adolescents.