Prevalence and associated determinants of suicidal ideation and attempt among people with severe mental disorders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia a cross-sectional study

Suicidal ideation and attempts are much more common in people with severe mental disorders than in the general population. As a result, the goal of this study was to look at suicidal ideation and attempts in people with severe mental disorders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2022. Using a simple random sample technique, a facility-based cross-sectional study involving 423 patients with severe mental disorders was conducted. The factors associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts were identified using a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis model. Significant factors were determined using a p-value of less than 0.05. The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt was 26.4% (95% CI: 22.3–30.99%) and 18.6% (95% CI: 15.2–22.7%), respectively. Moreover, suicidal thoughts were linked with being single (AOR = 2.1.1, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.72), having poor social support (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.05, 9.422), and having comorbid depression (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.62, 4.54). Suicidal attempt was also associated with secondary education (AOR = 4.06, 95% CI: 1.50, 10.98), illness duration (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.15, 5.35), hopelessness (AOR = 3.415, 95% CI: 2.114, 15.516), and the absence of positive symptoms (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.209, 0.683). A significant proportion of patients with severe mental disorders have contemplated or actually attempted suicide. Poor psychosocial support, a higher level of education, and comorbid depression were all linked to these issues. Therefore, controllable risk factors such as education, hopelessness, and psychosocial support should be prioritized and given particular emphasis.