Childhood Adversities as Risk Factors and Persistence of Suicidal Behavior: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Suicide is one of the important cause of death worldwide. The precise effect of childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour are not well understood. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Psychiatry, Cumilla Medical College, Cumilla, Bangladesh. All cases were selected from patients attending at Cumilla Medical College hospital and Private Hospitals in Cumilla City from April 2017 to September 2018. We found out the association between childhood adversities and suicidal behaviour over the life course and delineated the types of suicidal behavior. Total 120 cases were included in the study. Respondents provided socio-demographic and diagnostic information, childhood adversities as well as an account of suicide-related thoughts and behaviours. A participation rate was 77.5% female. Of 120 suicidal behavior participants physical abuse was 2.5%, sexual abuse was 16.67%, parental death was 5%, parental divorce was 2.5%, other parental loss was 4.17%, family violence was 5%, physical illness was 1.67%, financial adversity was 3.33% and composite adversity was 59.16%. Among childhood adversities participants suicidal ideation was 70%, suicidal plans was 15.83%, suicidal attempts was 45%, ideators only proceeded to plans was 22.5%, ideation to attempt was 63.33%, planned attempts was 10.83% and impulsive attempts was 52.5%. Among suicidal behavior participant's psychiatric disorders were 65%. Where neurotic disorders were 17%, psychotic disorders were 13%, personality disorders were 44% and others disorder was 26%. Most of the suicidal behavior patients were female 77.5% and age group of 18-24 years. Childhood sexual abuse emerged as a particularly robust risk factor for suicide attempts in younger participants. Childhood physical and sexual abuse emerged as risk factors for the emergence and persistence of suicidal behaviour, especially in adolescence. Two or more childhood adversities were associated with a three fold higher risk of lifetime suicide attempts. Childhood adversities are main risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour. The risks being are the greatest in childhood, adolescence and early adult. A longitudinal follow-up study is required to give a more reliable in Bangladesh.