Abstract

Objective: In this study, investigation of suicidal behaviour and its correlation with certain sociodemographic variables in Sivas province in Turkey was aimed. Methods: The sample group of this research consisted of 1117 individuals in the age range of 18-65, selected by using stratified sampling method. The study was performed in two stages. In the first stage, sociodemographic data form, the Suicide Behaviour Scale, the Suicide Ideation Scale were administrated to the participants who were selected from 500 homes. In the second stage, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I Disorders and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-II Disorders and the Suicide Intention Scale were administrated to persons who had suicide attempt history. Results: While the prevalence of lifetime suicide behaviour was found to be as 2.23%, the prevalence of lifetime suicide planning or attempt was 3.58%, suicide ideation for the last one year 1.43%, lifetime suicide attempt 1.43%, and lifetime suicide intention was 0.62%. Suicidal behaviours were more frequent in involuntary marriages than in voluntary ones. With the increased duration of marriage, both suicide behaviour and suicide ideations were decreasing significantly. The rate of suicide ideation was significantly higher for individuals with alcohol abuse history than the ones without. Discussion: The rate of suicidal behaviours, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt found in this study were lower than that of found in studies performed in western countries. The possible reasons for this might be the methodological differences of the studies, religious and cultural differences between the countries in which the studies were carried out.

Key words: Suicide behaviour, epidemiology, general population