Forensic analysis of suicidal ideation among medical students of Egypt: A crosssectional study

Abstract

Suicide is one of the major causes of death in the world. In this study a total of 612 students from two public universities in Cairo were assessed using an online survey that included 19 items from the self administered version of Beck's Suicidal Ideation scale in addition to three questions to assist in forensic analysis of the suicide. 12.75% of respondents scored above 24 in the 19 items from the suicidal ideation scale. Females showed a slightly higher score of suicidal ideation (Mean 18.1, SD 12.22) and year 1 students tended to score higher than pre-clinical and clinical phase students (Mean 15.1, SD 10.1, P value 0.042). Most of the suicide plans were to be executed at home with the use of available medications for overdose. This study shed light on the importance of support systems for medical students with a high stress on family support.

Keywords: Adolescence; Depression; Risk assessment.