Prevalence of Suicide Behavior among Undergraduate University Students in Kenya: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Stella K Nyagwencha, PhD., United States International University-Africa & Samuel O. Ojuade, PhD., PsycheBalm Consult, Nigeria

Abstract

Although suicide behaviors among university students are a global concern, very few studies have investigated its prevalence among university students in Kenya. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of suicide behavior (ideation, plan, and attempt) among undergraduate university students in Kenya. An online-based cross sectional survey utilizing convenience sampling was used to collect data from 138 undergraduate university students aged 17 years and above. Data was collected using researcher-generated socio-demographic questionnaire and Suicide Behavior Questionnaire Revised edition. The results showed that 60.9% of the participants had suicide behavior (ideation, plan and attempt) and the prevalence of suicide behavior was higher among participants aged 20-22 years (34.1%); Females (36.2%); public university students (37.7%); students who live off-campus (47.1%); singles not in relationships (47.8%); average family economic status (53.6%); and participants whose parents were married (38.4%). According to this study, mental health workers need to pay more attention to the mental health of undergraduate university students especially for the categories that exhibited higher prevalence of suicide behaviors. Also, supportive suicide prevention programs are needed in both private and public universities to lessen the alarming prevalence of suicide behavior among university students in Kenya.

Keywords: Prevalence, suicide behavior, undergraduate students, university