Effect of suicide intervention programme in knowledge, attitude, and belief towards suicide in medical students

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is a major public health problem, accounting for over 800,000 deaths annually. In India, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 171,000 suicides in 2022, representing a 4.2% increase from 2021 and a 27% rise compared to 2018. Aims: To assess knowledge, skills and attitude of MBBS students on suicide immediate before and after Suicide Intervention Programme. Setting and Design: Analytical Longitudinal Interventional Study. Methods and Material: This study was conducted at Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur from April 2023 to march 2024 (one year). Result: Our study result shows that in terms of age, the majority of participants (61.7%) were between 19 and 21 years old, while 38.3% were in the 22-24 age range. The assessment using the GHQ-28 (General Health Questionnaire-28) reveals significant levels of psychological morbidity among the participants. The mean GHQ- 28 score was 12.8 ± 4.6, indicating a considerable level of psychological distress, with a highly significant p-value of <0.001. Psychological distress was observed in 45% of the population, affecting 135 students, underscoring the burden of mental health issues in the sample. Specific domains revealed that anxiety was present in 16% (48 students), depression in 18% (54 students), social dysfunction in 11% (33 students), and somatic symptoms in 9% (27 students), all statistically significant with p-values <0.001. These findings suggest a broad spectrum of psychological issues, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mental health screening and interventions within the studied group. Conclusion: The intervention demonstrated a significant positive effect on the psychological health and emotional well-being of the 300 participants. The substantial improvements in mental health indicators, such as reduced psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms, highlight the effectiveness of the intervention in enhancing overall well-being. Additionally, improvements in social integration and emotional stability, as evidenced by the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire results, suggest that the intervention contributed to better social and personal perceptions.

Keywords: suicide intervention, mental health, Students