Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective study
Abstract Background Suicidality and absconding from psychiatric care are two critical phenomena that complicate mental health care in developing countries. The aim of this study was twofold. First, to determine the prevalence of suicidality among absconders over two decades. Secondly, we set out to...
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07122-6 |
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| author | Moses Muwanguzi Mark Mohan Kaggwa |
| author_facet | Moses Muwanguzi Mark Mohan Kaggwa |
| author_sort | Moses Muwanguzi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Suicidality and absconding from psychiatric care are two critical phenomena that complicate mental health care in developing countries. The aim of this study was twofold. First, to determine the prevalence of suicidality among absconders over two decades. Secondly, we set out to determine overall factors that influence the likelihood of having suicidal behaviors among absconders, as well as factors specific to each diagnosis. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of files of patients who absconded from inpatient psychiatric care at a tertiary psychiatric facility in southwestern Uganda between 2000 and 2020. A pre-tested electronic questionnaire was used for data abstraction of sociodemographic characteristics, documented suicidality, and other clinical variables. Data cleaning and analysis were conducted using STATA V.17. Logistic regression was performed for factors associated with suicidality. Results Among the absconders, 9.5% exhibited suicidality. Factors that heightened the odds of suicidality among absconders included being divorced or separated (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.00, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.20–3.31, p = 0.007), having depression (aOR = 5.41, 95% CI: 2.47–11.82, p < 0.001), a history of substance use (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.01–2.23, p = 0.049), and experiencing violence before hospitalization (aOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.14–2.94, p = 0.013). In contrast, substance use disorder (aOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.10–0.62, p = 0.003) and having schizophrenic spectrum disorders (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18–0.68, p = 0.002) were linked to a decreased likelihood of suicidality among those who absconded. Conclusion This study reveals a high burden of suicidality among individuals who abscond, with important risk factors such as marital status, depression, and a history of experiencing violence. It was noted that substance use disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders are associated with a reduced suicide risk. This study shows a significant interplay between clinical and demographic factors in predicting suicidality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ea08d1a4f3a140ad95307c780e0f4835 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-ea08d1a4f3a140ad95307c780e0f48352025-08-20T03:37:38ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-07-0125111010.1186/s12888-025-07122-6Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective studyMoses Muwanguzi0Mark Mohan Kaggwa1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityAbstract Background Suicidality and absconding from psychiatric care are two critical phenomena that complicate mental health care in developing countries. The aim of this study was twofold. First, to determine the prevalence of suicidality among absconders over two decades. Secondly, we set out to determine overall factors that influence the likelihood of having suicidal behaviors among absconders, as well as factors specific to each diagnosis. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of files of patients who absconded from inpatient psychiatric care at a tertiary psychiatric facility in southwestern Uganda between 2000 and 2020. A pre-tested electronic questionnaire was used for data abstraction of sociodemographic characteristics, documented suicidality, and other clinical variables. Data cleaning and analysis were conducted using STATA V.17. Logistic regression was performed for factors associated with suicidality. Results Among the absconders, 9.5% exhibited suicidality. Factors that heightened the odds of suicidality among absconders included being divorced or separated (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.00, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.20–3.31, p = 0.007), having depression (aOR = 5.41, 95% CI: 2.47–11.82, p < 0.001), a history of substance use (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.01–2.23, p = 0.049), and experiencing violence before hospitalization (aOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.14–2.94, p = 0.013). In contrast, substance use disorder (aOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.10–0.62, p = 0.003) and having schizophrenic spectrum disorders (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18–0.68, p = 0.002) were linked to a decreased likelihood of suicidality among those who absconded. Conclusion This study reveals a high burden of suicidality among individuals who abscond, with important risk factors such as marital status, depression, and a history of experiencing violence. It was noted that substance use disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders are associated with a reduced suicide risk. This study shows a significant interplay between clinical and demographic factors in predicting suicidality.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07122-6SuicidalityAbscondingSubstance use disorderDepressionViolent behaviors |
| spellingShingle | Moses Muwanguzi Mark Mohan Kaggwa Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective study BMC Psychiatry Suicidality Absconding Substance use disorder Depression Violent behaviors |
| title | Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective study |
| title_full | Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective study |
| title_fullStr | Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective study |
| title_short | Suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in Uganda: a retrospective study |
| title_sort | suicidality among inpatients who absconded from a tertiary mental health facility in uganda a retrospective study |
| topic | Suicidality Absconding Substance use disorder Depression Violent behaviors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07122-6 |
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