Suicidal ideation in the perinatal period: findings from the Thailand-Myanmar border
Issued Date
2022-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
17413842
eISSN
17413850
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85143202681
Pubmed ID
34343323
Journal Title
Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom)
Volume
44
Issue
4
Start Page
E514
End Page
E518
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom) Vol.44 No.4 (2022) , E514-E518
Suggested Citation
Fellmeth G., Nosten S., Khirikoekkong N., Oo M.M., Gilder M.E., Plugge E., Fazel M., Fitzpatrick R., Mcgready R. Suicidal ideation in the perinatal period: findings from the Thailand-Myanmar border. Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom) Vol.44 No.4 (2022) , E514-E518. E518. doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdab297 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85208
Title
Suicidal ideation in the perinatal period: findings from the Thailand-Myanmar border
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Suicide is a leading cause of maternal death globally. Migrant and refugee populations may experience higher risk of suicide. We report data on suicidal ideation from migrant and refugee women living on the Thailand-Myanmar border. Methods: Women were recruited in their first trimester of pregnancy. Depression status was assessed by diagnostic interview in the first, second and third trimesters and at 1 month post-partum. We calculated prevalence of suicidal ideation and used logistic regression to identify associated socio-demographic factors. Results: During the perinatal period, 5.3% (30/568) women experienced suicidal ideation. Refugee women were more likely to experience suicidal ideation than migrant women (8.0 versus 3.1%; P = 0.01). Most women with suicidal ideation did not have severe depression. Previous trauma (OR 2.32; 95% CI: 1.70-3.15) and unplanned pregnancy (OR 2.74; 95% CI: 1.10-6.86) were significantly associated with suicidal ideation after controlling for all other variables. Conclusions: Suicidal ideation represents an important symptom among migrant and refugee women on the Thailand-Myanmar border. Screening only those with severe depression may be insufficient to identify women at risk of suicide. Community-level interventions addressing social and gender inequalities and prioritization of family planning programmes are needed alongside targeted suicide prevention initiatives to help lower the rates of people dying by suicide.