High Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation and Associated Risk Factors Among Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Suicidal ideation presents a significant mental health challenge globally, particularly among medical students.
• Limited research exists on the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation within this specific demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation among medical students.
• To identify independent risk factors associated with suicidal ideation in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 705 medical students at Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Medical Sciences.
• Utilized demographic and psychometric questionnaires, including the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation.
• Employed descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, and multivariate models for data analysis (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of suicidal ideation (78.3%), readiness for suicide (18.6%), and suicidal intent (3.1%) was observed.
• Significant independent risk factors included a history of drug use, prior psychiatric disorders, relationship breakups, and academic probation (p < 0.001).
• Age, gender, education level, and residence did not show significant associations.

Conclusions:

• Suicidal ideation is a critical issue among medical students, influenced by substance use, psychiatric history, relationship difficulties, and academic stress.
• Urgent interventions, including psychological screening, accessible mental health services, and academic support, are crucial.
• Institutional efforts to destigmatize seeking help are essential within medical education.