Suicidality and Non-Fatal Self-Injury Behaviors Among Epileptic Patients in Neurology Clinic at Zewditu Memorial Hospital and Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: - Suicidality /suicidal ideation and plan/ and non-fatal self-harm behaviors are more frequent among People living with Epilepsy (PWE) than the general population. The increased risk of suicidality and non-fatal self-harm behaviors and associated factors among people with Epilepsy varies across sociodemographic and disease-related factors as well as comorbid psychiatric conditions. The study aimed to determine the magnitude of suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury behaviors and identify its associated factors among People with Epilepsy seeking medical care at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital and Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2021. Methods: - Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly selected 345 epileptic patients that attended the outpatient neurology treatment service at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital and Zewditu Memorial Hospital. The study was conducted from 15 December 2020 to 15 February 2021. The WHO composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI) was used to assess suicidality, depression, and epilepsy-related factors. Association between outcome variables and selected independent variables was tested using a logistic regression model. Result: - The magnitude of suicidal ideation, plan, and non-fatal self-injury behavior among people living with epilepsy were 21.2, 18.3, and 11.9% respectively. Living alone, Poor social support, and comorbid depression were significantly associated with suicidal ideation, plan, and nonfatal self-injurious behavior. Those who were taking 2 or more Anti-Epileptic Drugs also showed statistical association with suicidal ideation (AOR 0.45, 95% CI= .21, .97; p=0.041) and suicidal plan (AOR 0.36, 95% CI= .162, .815; p=0.014) respectively. Conclusion - The prevalence of suicidal ideation, and non-fatal self-injurious behavior among people with epilepsy was high among Ethiopian epileptic patients in a hospital setting. Routine screening and proper intervention for comorbid depression as well as avoiding polytherapy might prevent suicidality and non-fatal self-injurious behavior, A strong social support also helped in preventing suicide as well as improving quality of life.