Psycho-social factors associated with repeat suicide attempts : a 15-year follow

Abstract AR

Background : Reports of repeated suicide attempts are fairly high in Western literature.

The proportion of repeated suicide attempts among index cases in developing countries is unknown.

Objectives : To determine the extent of repeated attempts of suicide and the psycho-social factors associated with it.

Method : A cross-sectional retrospective design was used whereby adolescents identified as index suicide attempters were interviewed 15 years later using a semi-structured interview.

Results and Discussion : There were no deaths among the cases whether by suicide or other causes.

Six (14.3 %) cases were repeated suicide acts.

Factors significantly associated with repetition of suicide attempts were lower social class, smoking, problems with partners or parents and mental illness.

The occurrence of repeated suicide attempts in Bahrain was lower than international figures report.

The possible reasons for such discrepancies are discussed.