Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Vasileios Margaritis

Abstract

Suicide in younger populations is a major public health concern and it significantly impacts third world countries like Guyana. Some challenges related to suicide are poor recording of suicide risk factors and customized prevention programs to address this significant issue. The purpose of this study was to examine which sociodemographic factors (age, gender, occupation, method of suicide, and region) are associated with suicide and method of suicide among people aged ≥ 15 years in Guyana. Also, because studies show that culture plays a pivotal role in suicide, this study investigated if there is a link between culture (ethnicity/race and religion) and suicide cases in this population in Guyana. The socioecological model provided the framework for this quantitative study which used the 2015 cross sectional secondary data from the Guyana Ministry of Public Health. Bivariate analysis revealed that sociodemographic and cultural factors were significantly associated with suicide cases in Guyana, with men, aged 23-48 years old, employed individuals, East Indian and Hindu having the higher suicide proportions. In addition, regression analysis indicated that men were 3.1 times more likely to commit suicide by hanging instead of drinking poison compared to females (OR: 3.1, 95%CI: 1.5-6.7, p < 0.004). The positive social change implications include the identification of socioeconomic and cultural factors that are associated with suicide. These factors can be used to provide counselling sessions for the persons who have suicidal behaviors and to adopt a collaborative approach by World Health Organization, governmental, nongovernmental organizations and civil society to reduce the prevalence of suicide in Guyana.

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