Abstract:
Background
Suicidal ideation and attempts are the most common psychiatric emergencies in women with breast
cancer; women with breast cancer are more likely to engage in suicidal behavior, mostly when
they informed about their diagnosis, there is lack of information on the issues in Ethiopia
specifically on current study area therefore, assessing suicide among women with breast cancer is
vital for employing further intervention in the future.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation and attempts
among women with breast cancer in Dessie comprehensive and specialized hospitalfrom June24-
July 24,2022.
Methods: The Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 340
participants. Outcome variables were assessed using suicidality module of world health
organization suicidal ideation attributes scale-and predictor variables were assessed by Oslo-3
social, supportive scales, Germen beck scale for suicidal ideation and Santa Clara strength of
Religious Faith Questionnaire. The data were entered in Epi data version 4.6 and analyzed with
SPSS version 25. Bi- and multi-variate logistic regression analyses were performed. And variables
with a p-value under 0.05 were considered statistically significant with a 95% confidence interval.
Result: The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide were 29.4% and12.
1%,with CI of 12.39,100.14respectively, with a response rate of 100% and a mean age was
46.62±12.406 years.Variables such as clinical stage IVAOR 5.44 at 95%CI 1.27, 23.26,presence of
comorbidityAOR 5.45, at 95% CI 2.70, 11.03and poor social support AOR 6.06 at 95% CI 3.07,
11.96, poor religiousnessAOR3.63 at 95% CI 1.09,11.98.Were factors significantly associated with
suicidal ideation whereasvariable such,poor-social support AOR 4.94 of 95% CI 2.07, 11.82,
comorbidity AOR 3.75 with 95%CI 1.56,9.008 and age 45-54 yearsAOR4.09 at 95%CI 1.11,15.15
were factor significantly associated with suicidal attempt.
Conclusion: The study revealed that, the prevalence of suicidal ideation among study participant
was nearly one out of three whereas; the suicidal attempt was one out of ten. Onsite training
should be installing for health professionals worked at oncology ward to detect early suicidal risk
factors and to strengthen consultation services within psychiatric professionals.
