The prevalence of suicidal behaviour and associated risk factors in grade 8 learners in Durban

Objectives: Most of the research on suicidal behaviour in youth focuses on developed countries. Less is known about the prevalence of suicidal behaviour and associated risk factors in community samples of youth who do not present for mental health care in developing countries. This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal behaviour and associated risk factors in grade 8 learners in Durban.Setting and subjects: Grade 8 learners in a government-run,  co-educational school were approached to participate in the study after parental consent and child assent were obtained. A descriptive, cross-sectional method was used to gather quantitative data. The grade 8 learners were asked to complete demographic questionnaires and various psychometric assessment scales.Design: The gathered data were divided into two groups, i.e. those who reported personal suicidal behaviour and those who did not. The various variables in these two groups were compared using bivariate and  multivariate statistical analyses.Results: The study established that 22 participants (33.8%, n = 75) reported suicidal behaviour (thoughts, plans or attempts in this regard). They also had higher levels of depression, perceived stress, hopelessness and anger (p-value < 0.01) than those who did not report any suicidal behaviour. The same participants had lower scores on scales that assessed selfesteem and perceived social support from family (p-value < 0.01), compared to those who did not report any suicidal behaviour. Logistic regression analysis that was undertaken indicated that a friend’s suicidal thoughts [odds ratio (OR) 4.27, p-value < 0.01], alcohol use (OR 3.08, p-value < 0.01), perceived stress (OR 1.05, p-value < 0.01) and depression (OR 1.04, p-value < 0.01), were strong predictors of personal suicidal behaviour in this sample.Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of suicidal behaviour in grade 8 learners in Durban. The identified risk factors were similar to those found in developed countries. Healthcare providers and other professionals, such as school counsellors, should consider the identified risk factors when assessing suicidality and planning interventions for youth

HIV-infection as a self-reported risk factor for attempted suicide in South Africa

Objective:  Key Words: HIV-infection; Attempted suicide risk; Management; PreventionThe aim of this study was to examine variables associated with recently diagnosed HIV-infection as a self-reported attempted suicide risk factor. Method: The study cohort consisted of 112 general hospital in-patients who attempted suicide because of HIV-infection. All the patients were subject to a comprehensive mental state examination and administration of a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain biographical, sociodemographic and other relevant information. Pearson uncorrected Chi-square (X2) or Fisher’s Exact Probability Test were used to analyze data utilising Epicalc 2000, version 1.02. Results: Most patients expressed a heterosexual preference. The average age was 34.9 years. Females predominated and in both genders depression and substance abuse (mainly alcohol-related) accounted for the most common psychiatric diagnoses. Less than half of the patients were married. Partner relational problems was a statistically significant variable. The most prevalent co-morbid stressors were poor social support, fear of disclosure/stigmatization and socio-economic pressures. Cognitive deficits included problems with cognitive flexibility, concentration and memory. Based on estimated national suicidal behaviour prevalence rates, a descriptive HIV-related attempted suicide rate of 67.2 per 100 000 and an increased risk for attempted suicide of 13.33% to 18.87% were calculated. Conclusion: HIVinfection can be an underestimated suicide risk factor. Effective management and prevention programmes should include as imperatives early diagnosis of HIV-related suicidal behaviour, recognition of underlying psychopathology, neurocognitive deficits, associated stressors, the dynamics of partner relationship problems, as well as cultural awareness and sensitivity. Potential neurocognitive complications that can act as additional risk factors require further research

Posttraumatic stress disorder diagnostic criteria and suicidal ideation in a South African Police sample

Objective: Exposure to traumatic events may precipitate suicidal ideation. Once an individual is diagnosed with PTSD, a suicide risk assessment often follows. This study explores how PTSD symptom criteria correlate with suicidal ideation in a sample of police officers. While the psychometric measures of PTSD often mirror the DSM-IV-TR criteria, focusing on exposure, symptom, and duration criteria, suicidal ideation measures often focus on concepts quite different from that. In this report the focus was on investigating how PTSD symptom criteria correlate with the suicidal ideation.Method: A group of South African police officers (N = 217) were assessed by means of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale and a short version of the Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire. Linear and hierarchical regressions were used to determine which PTSD symptom criteria best predict suicidalideation.Results: Hyperarousal was the primary predictor of suicidal ideation (R2 [adjusted] = 0.249). Intrusive thoughts added only marginally to the model, contributing a further 2.5% to the declared variance. The contributions of the other two symptom types were negligible.Conclusion: In this study hyperarousal correlated significantly with suicidal ideation. It is suggested that practitioners be alert to these symptoms as possible indicators of suicidal ideation. Implications for suicide risk assessment and prevention measures are discussed.Keywords: Stress Disorders; Post-Traumatic; Suicidal ideation; Police; South Afric

A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Circumcision is a common procedure, but regional and societal attitudes differ on whether there is a need for a male to be circumcised and, if so, at what age. This is an important issue for many parents, but also pediatricians, other doctors, policy makers, public health authorities, medical bodies, and males themselves.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We show here that infancy is an optimal time for clinical circumcision because an infant's low mobility facilitates the use of local anesthesia, sutures are not required, healing is quick, cosmetic outcome is usually excellent, costs are minimal, and complications are uncommon. The benefits of infant circumcision include prevention of urinary tract infections (a cause of renal scarring), reduction in risk of inflammatory foreskin conditions such as balanoposthitis, foreskin injuries, phimosis and paraphimosis. When the boy later becomes sexually active he has substantial protection against risk of HIV and other viral sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and oncogenic human papillomavirus, as well as penile cancer. The risk of cervical cancer in his female partner(s) is also reduced. Circumcision in adolescence or adulthood may evoke a fear of pain, penile damage or reduced sexual pleasure, even though unfounded. Time off work or school will be needed, cost is much greater, as are risks of complications, healing is slower, and stitches or tissue glue must be used.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Infant circumcision is safe, simple, convenient and cost-effective. The available evidence strongly supports infancy as the optimal time for circumcision.</p

Enhancing the research capacity of local government planners, community health workers, and community development practitioners engaged in "War on Poverty Survey" in KwaZulu-Natal: a training report

Commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) South Africa and the Development & Population Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DecemberThe United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) South Africa contracted the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to provide a service of developing and implementing a training process for the staff of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development (DSD-KZN) involved in implementing the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government's Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) initiative. The purpose of the OSS initiative is to provide comprehensive, integrated and transversal services to communities through effective and efficient partnerships. At the heart of the OSS is to rebuild the fabric of society by promoting human values, crime, diseases, deprivation and social ills, and most importantly, fighting poverty, ensuring moral regeneration, by working together through effective partnerships

Education and skills development

This chapter continues to set the context for an assessment of the education and skills amongst South African youth by reviewing policies that have attempted to build the education and skills of the youth since 1994. It also provides a quantitative overview of the education and skills amongst the youth. Several implications for policy are considered, The major conclusion here is that unless inequalities in educational outcomes among the youth are addressed, it is unlikely that labour market interventions will successfully bring about transformation.

Social cohesion and civic participation

This chapter focuses on youth and social cohesion in the South Afican context.

National youth service

This chapter outlines the context of the National youth Service while exploring existing policy and legislative imperatives in the area of youth work. It includes an overview of the programmes implemented by all sectors in South Africa as well as international experiences relevant to the South African context

Social cohesion amongst South African youth

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