Suicidal Thoughts and Planning for Suicide among the ۲۰۰۷-۲۰۱۳ Entrance Medical Students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Background: Suicide is an intentional self-harm behavior leading to death that is more common in young people aged ۱۵-۲۴ years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of suicidal thoughts and planning for suicide among medical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all ۳۰۰ Entrance ۲۰۰۷-۲۰۱۳ medical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences were included by census sampling. Among them, only ۲۶۵ students (۸۸%) agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected by using Beck standard suicide questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by using descriptive and analytical statistics like Chi-square and Fisher&#۳۹;s exact tests. Results: The participants included ۱۲۶ male and ۱۳۹ female medical students. Among them, ۷۵.۸۴% had no suicidal thoughts, ۱۸.۱۱% had suicidal thoughts, ۴.۱۵% were susceptible for committing suicide and ۱.۸۸% had a plan for suicide attempt. There was a significant relationship between suicidal thoughts and gender (P=۰.۰۱۷), living area (P=۰.۰۲۶), history of chronic disease (P=۰.۰۴۲), history of mental disorder (P=۰.۰۰۲), and smoking (P=۰.۰۴۹). Conclusion: The results show that the risk of suicide is high in medical students. Therefore, preventive strategies should be performed for preventing suicidal thoughts and committing suicide.

Keywords:

Suicide , Medical students , Suicidal Thoughts , Committing Suicide , Rafsanjan