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Arafat SMY, Baminiwatta A, Menon V, Sharma P, Htay MNN, Akter H, Marthoenis M, Dorji C. Prevalence of Suicidal Behavior Among Students in South-East Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Arch Suicide Res 2024; 28:50-70. [PMID: 36794580 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2023.2176272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Estimation of rates of suicidal behaviors (ideation, plan, and attempt) would help to understand the burden and prioritize prevention strategies. However, no attempt to assess suicidal behavior among students was identified in South-East Asia (SEA). We aimed to assess the prevalence of suicidal behavior (ideation, plan, and attempt) among students in SEA. METHODS We followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered the protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42022353438). We searched in Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO and performed meta-analyses to pool the lifetime, 1-year, and point prevalence rates for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. We considered the duration of a month for point prevalence. RESULTS The search identified 40 separate populations from which 46 were included in the analyses, as some studies included samples from multiple countries. The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation was 17.4% (confidence interval [95% CI], 12.4%-23.9%) for lifetime, 9.33% (95% CI, 7.2%-12%) for the past year, and 4.8% (95% CI, 3.6%-6.4%) for the present time. The pooled prevalence of suicide plans was 9% (95% CI, 6.2%-12.9%) for lifetime, 7.3% (95% CI, 5.1%-10.3%) for the past year, and 2.3% (95% CI, 0.8%-6.7%) for the present time. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts was 5.2% (95% CI, 3.5%-7.8%) for lifetime and 4.5% (95% CI, 3.4%-5.8%) for the past year. Higher rates of suicide attempts in the lifetime were noted in Nepal (10%) and Bangladesh (9%), while lower rates were reported in India (4%) and Indonesia (5%). CONCLUSIONS Suicidal behaviors are a common phenomenon among students in the SEA region. These findings call for integrated, multisectoral efforts to prevent suicidal behaviors in this group.
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Islam MK, Maruf MM, Saeed Khan MA, Arafat SMY. Literacy and stigma of suicide among Islamic religious leaders (Imams) in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. Int Rev Psychiatry 2023:1-8. [DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2023.2252507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
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Mubashir AS, Batool SS, Arafat SMY. Psychometric evaluation and validation of Urdu Social Rank Scale for women with infertility in Pakistan. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1150941. [PMID: 37711422 PMCID: PMC10499518 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1150941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infertility negatively affects nearly all aspects of women's life and is a source of demotion in the rank/status of women that they have achieved after marriage. This social rank/status demotion due to infertility may result in depression and several other psychopathologies. No extant instrument is available to measure the phenomenon of social rank in women with infertility in Pakistan. Objective The aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and validate the Social Rank Scale for women experiencing infertility in Pakistan. Methodology This study was conducted in four phases. The data were collected from women with primary infertility who visited hospitals all over Pakistan from 2016 to 2018. Social Rank Scale for Women with Infertility (SRS-WI) comprising of two scales, the Social Comparison Scale for Women with Infertility (SCS-WI) and the Submissive Behavior Scale for Women with Infertility (SBS-WI), was developed. Results The factor structure of 37 items of SCS-WI and of 21 items of SBS-WI was determined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on a sample of 215 women with primary infertility with an age range of 20-45 years (Mage = 31.03; SD = 6.18). Principal component analysis with varimax rotation method yielded a three-factor solution for SCS-WI, and 32 items were retained for SCS-WI that accounted for 62.38% variance. For SBS-WI, a uni-factor solution was obtained, and 20 items were retained for SBS-WI, which collectively accounted for 42.01% variance. The factor structure for both scales was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis among a sample of 210 participants with good model fit indices. Conclusion The study provides acceptable psychometric properties of the SRS-WI in Pakistan. Testing of psychometric properties in different groups of samples would justify the generalized use of the instrument.
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Menon V, Kar SK, Ransing R, Sharma G, Pattnaik JI, Varadharajan N, Kaliamoorthy C, Mukherjee S, Agrawal A, Padhy SK, Arafat SMY. Long-Term Changes in the Quality of Media Reporting of Suicide Following a Celebrity Suicide in India. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231189849. [PMID: 37453041 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231189849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Online portals of selected English and local language newspapers and television channels were searched to identify suicide news reports published one year after the celebrity suicide (ACS). These reports (n = 1952) were compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, immediately following the celebrity suicide (ICS) (n = 2486), and a three-month period before the celebrity suicide (BCS) (n = 1381) to assess longitudinal changes in quality of media reporting. There was a decline in reporting of several potentially harmful characteristics over time such as mentioning the deceased's age and gender (p < .001 for both), and location of suicide (p < .001). The quality of media reporting of suicide was significantly better at one year compared to the period immediately following celebrity suicide. This change was mainly driven by an improvement in the reporting quality of English news reports while local language reports continued to remain poorly adherent to reporting guidelines.
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El Hayek S, Mubashir A, Arafat SMY. Editorial: Current trends and challenges in the assessment of suicidal behavior: a psychometric approach. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1243062. [PMID: 37496687 PMCID: PMC10367546 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1243062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] [Imported: 08/29/2023] Open
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Arafat SMY, Monira S, Lily SA. Filicide in Bangladesh: A case indicating the need for psychosocial support among mothers during peripartum. J Gen Fam Med 2023; 24:254-256. [PMID: 37484131 PMCID: PMC10357083 DOI: 10.1002/jgf2.624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] [Imported: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a case of filicide which is an under-researched entity in Bangladesh. A 28-year-old lady visited with complaints of irregular eating followed by self-induced vomiting, poor anger control, irregular sleep, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts for the last year. On the third visit, she admitted that she killed her 32-day-old baby by keeping it in a refrigerator. The case raises some forensic psychiatric complexities as the patient confessed it to the psychiatrist while family members know it as an accidental aspiration. It indicates the complex nature and dire need for psychosocial support in Bangladesh.
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Shafique N, Arafat SMY, Siddiqui F, Malik WT, Hallahan B, Khalily MT. Dysfunctional schema modes as determinants of psychiatric comorbidities: a study in a cohort of people with epilepsy. Ir J Psychol Med 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37254465 DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2023.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Symptomatology of epilepsy and its' associated alteration in brain processes, stigma of experiencing seizures, and adverse sequelae of anti-epileptics have been demonstrated to impact behaviour and exacerbate psychopathology. This study examines the role of dysfunctional schema modes in People with Epilepsy (PWE) and their association with psychiatric symptoms. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 108 PWE treated with anti-epileptics for at least one year and with no history or mental disorder or psycho-active substance use. Clinical symptoms were measured utilising the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) with schema modes measured utilising the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI). RESULTS Maladaptive coping and child schema modes were significantly higher in individuals from lower socio-economic status group (p < 0.01), with several maladaptive schema modes more prevalent in males. Hostility symptoms were increased in individuals from lower socio-economic classes and were more prevalent early in disease course. Several psychological symptoms including somatisation, interpersonal, obsession, depression, paranoia, hostility, phobia, anxiety, and psychoticism, were predicted by various maladaptive schema modes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study highlights the impact of maladaptive schemas, suggesting that PWE might benefit from the introduction of appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions such as schema-focused therapy, particularly if from lower socio-economic classes or in the early stages of theirdisease course.
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Arafat SMY, Baminiwatta A, Menon V, Singh R, Varadharajan N, Guhathakurta S, Mahesar RA, Rezaeian M. Prevalence of suicidal behaviour among students living in Muslim-majority countries: systematic review and meta-analysis. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e67. [PMID: 37057842 PMCID: PMC10134265 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] [Imported: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessing suicidal behaviours among students would help to understand the burden and enhance suicide prevention. AIMS We aimed to determine the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among students living in Muslim-majority countries. METHOD We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Meta-analyses were performed to pool the lifetime, 1-year and point prevalence rates for suicidal ideation, plans and attempts. RESULTS From 80 studies, 98 separate samples were included in this analysis. The majority (n = 49) were from the Eastern Mediterranean, and 61 samples were of university students. The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation was 21.9% (95% CI 17.4%-27.1%) for lifetime, 13.4% (95% CI 11.1%-16.1%) for the past year and 6.4% (95% CI 4.5%-9%) for current. The pooled prevalence of suicide plans was 6.4% (95% CI 3.7%-11%) for lifetime, 10.7% (95% CI 9.1%-12.4%) for the past year and 4.1% (95% CI 2.7%-6.2%) for current. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts was 6.6% (95% CI 5.4%-8%) for lifetime and 4.9% (95% CI 3.6%-6.5%) for the past year. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation was highest (46.2%) in South-East Asia, but the 12-month prevalence was highest (16.8%) in the Eastern Mediterranean. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed notably high rates of suicidal behaviours among students living in Muslim-majority countries. However, the quality of studies, differences in regional and cultural factors, stages of studentship and methods of measurement should be considered when generalising the study results.
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Shoib S, Saleem T, Menon V, Ali SAEZ, Arafat SMY. Filicide in South Asia: Demography, risk factors, psychiatric, and legal aspects. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2023; 63:159-167. [PMID: 36046949 DOI: 10.1177/00258024221122248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Background & Objective: Filicide is an act of killing a child up to the age of 18 years committed by his or her parent(s) or parental figure(s), including guardians and stepparents. There is absence of data and research regarding filicide in South Asia. The present study aimed to address the empirical lacuna in South Asia and to expand the literature in order to broaden the understanding of filicide. Method: The search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The original articles, quantitative studies, case studies, and full-length articles were included for the present review. Publications in only the English language, which clarified that the child was killed by parent(s) in eight South Asian countries from 2000 to 2020 were included. Results: A total of 13 reports of filicide were found in the eight South Asian countries; 12 from India and 1 from Pakistan. The most common method of filicide was by administering poisonous substances and burning by parents, depression was responsible for 7 cases of filicide, schizophrenia was responsible for one case. Conclusion: The review identified that there is a scarcity of research on filicide in South Asia. Rigorous research and investment for the compilation of data on filicide are needed to reduce it in South Asia. This may further help in the protection of lives of children as well as for taking steps for rehabilitation of parents and society.
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Ransing R, Arafat SMY, Menon V, Kar SK. National Suicide Prevention Strategy of India: implementation challenges and the way forward. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:163-165. [PMID: 36804065 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
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Arafat SMY, Jalil SB, Alam MS, Sultana N, Ahmed MIU, Abedin MM, Armstrong G. Suicide in Bangla Movie and Drama: A Content Analysis. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221148286. [PMID: 36541683 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221148286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to assess how suicidality has been depicted in Bangla movies and dramas. We conducted a search on YouTube by using search terms to identify movies and dramas with suicidal scripts. The search was performed between February and May 2022 resulting in 71 items consisting of 35 Bangla movies and 36 Bangla dramas. We scrutinized the contents of movies and dramas against our pre-designed instrument and we assessed their quality against World Health Organization guidelines. Among the 71 suicidal behaviors, 46.5% were suicides, 72% of the suicidal behavior was noted in young adults, 63.9% were unmarried, and 69% attempts were found in prominent characters. Hanging was found as the most prominent method (25.4%) and premarital and extramarital affairs and sexual harassment were the most prominent risk factors (60.6%). The potentially harmful characteristics were present in almost all events whereas potentially helpful contents were mentioned very minimally.
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Kabir R, Alradie-Mohamed A, Ferdous N, Vinnakota D, Arafat SMY, Mahmud I. Exploring Women's Decision-Making Power and HIV/AIDS Prevention Practices in South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16626. [PMID: 36554507 PMCID: PMC9778757 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health significantly impact women's health and their protection against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. These decisions also impact females' ability to reach their reproductive goals. Women's autonomy is recognized to be vital to women's access to reproductive healthcare, the use of contraceptives, the capacity to avoid or receive treatment for STIs (including HIV), and other reproductive and sexual health issues. This research investigated the association between the decision-making power of South African women (of reproductive age) and their knowledge and practices regarding HIV/AIDS preventive measures. The present study used data from the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016. A total of 8514 women aged 15-49 years who participated in the survey were used for this research. The mean age of the women was 30.21 years, with an SD of 9.86. Approximately 38.5% of the women decided on contraceptive use, and only 11.7% of women's partners and 49.8% of respondents were jointly involved in the decision-making process of contraceptive use. All HIV preventive measures under study were statistically significantly associated with high decision-making power; the use of a condom by the husband or partner of the women was the most significant; husbands or partners of the women with high autonomy were three times more likely to use condoms.
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Arafat SMY, Amin R, Baminiwatta A, Hussain F, Singh R, Kar SK, Mubashir AS. Gender distribution of editors in psychiatry journals of South Asia. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114819. [PMID: 36075152 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] [Imported: 08/29/2023]
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Arafat SMY. Suicide in 18 African Muslim majority countries: High rate, low research. Psychiatry Res 2022; 316:114785. [PMID: 35987068 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] [Imported: 08/29/2023]
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Pirkis J, Gunnell D, Shin S, Del Pozo-Banos M, Arya V, Aguilar PA, Appleby L, Arafat SMY, Arensman E, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Balhara YPS, Bantjes J, Baran A, Behera C, Bertolote J, Borges G, Bray M, Brečić P, Caine E, Calati R, Carli V, Castelpietra G, Chan LF, Chang SS, Colchester D, Coss-Guzmán M, Crompton D, Ćurković M, Dandona R, De Jaegere E, De Leo D, Deisenhammer EA, Dwyer J, Erlangsen A, Faust JS, Fornaro M, Fortune S, Garrett A, Gentile G, Gerstner R, Gilissen R, Gould M, Gupta SK, Hawton K, Holz F, Kamenshchikov I, Kapur N, Kasal A, Khan M, Kirtley OJ, Knipe D, Kõlves K, Kölzer SC, Krivda H, Leske S, Madeddu F, Marshall A, Memon A, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Nestadt P, Neznanov N, Niederkrotenthaler T, Nielsen E, Nordentoft M, Oberlerchner H, O'Connor RC, Papsdorf R, Partonen T, Phillips MR, Platt S, Portzky G, Psota G, Qin P, Radeloff D, Reif A, Reif-Leonhard C, Rezaeian M, Román-Vázquez N, Roskar S, Rozanov V, Sara G, Scavacini K, Schneider B, Semenova N, Sinyor M, Tambuzzi S, Townsend E, Ueda M, Wasserman D, Webb RT, Winkler P, Yip PS, Zalsman G, Zoja R, John A, Spittal MJ. Suicide numbers during the first 9-15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-existing trends: An interrupted time series analysis in 33 countries. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 51:101573. [PMID: 35935344 PMCID: PMC9344880 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Predicted increases in suicide were not generally observed in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the picture may be changing and patterns might vary across demographic groups. We aimed to provide a timely, granular picture of the pandemic's impact on suicides globally. METHODS We identified suicide data from official public-sector sources for countries/areas-within-countries, searching websites and academic literature and contacting data custodians and authors as necessary. We sent our first data request on 22nd June 2021 and stopped collecting data on 31st October 2021. We used interrupted time series (ITS) analyses to model the association between the pandemic's emergence and total suicides and suicides by sex-, age- and sex-by-age in each country/area-within-country. We compared the observed and expected numbers of suicides in the pandemic's first nine and first 10-15 months and used meta-regression to explore sources of variation. FINDINGS We sourced data from 33 countries (24 high-income, six upper-middle-income, three lower-middle-income; 25 with whole-country data, 12 with data for area(s)-within-the-country, four with both). There was no evidence of greater-than-expected numbers of suicides in the majority of countries/areas-within-countries in any analysis; more commonly, there was evidence of lower-than-expected numbers. Certain sex, age and sex-by-age groups stood out as potentially concerning, but these were not consistent across countries/areas-within-countries. In the meta-regression, different patterns were not explained by countries' COVID-19 mortality rate, stringency of public health response, economic support level, or presence of a national suicide prevention strategy. Nor were they explained by countries' income level, although the meta-regression only included data from high-income and upper-middle-income countries, and there were suggestions from the ITS analyses that lower-middle-income countries fared less well. INTERPRETATION Although there are some countries/areas-within-countries where overall suicide numbers and numbers for certain sex- and age-based groups are greater-than-expected, these countries/areas-within-countries are in the minority. Any upward movement in suicide numbers in any place or group is concerning, and we need to remain alert to and respond to changes as the pandemic and its mental health and economic consequences continue. FUNDING None.
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Younis MS, Arafat SMY. Historical Highlights on Electroconvulsive Therapy Practice in Iraq: A Brief Narrative. J ECT 2022; 38:151-155. [PMID: 35093973 DOI: 10.1097/yct.0000000000000824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment option for severe psychiatric disorders. Electroconvulsive therapy practice began in Iraq in 1946, primarily to treat patients with schizophrenia. Since then, it has developed and expanded to treat mood disorders and major depression. Initially, both modified and unmodified ECT was administered to patients in Ibn Rushd and Al Rashad mental hospitals in Baghdad. The ongoing political turmoil from 3 wars, economic sanctions, and internal conflicts halted the development of mental health services across the country; ECT provision was not an exception. The practice of unmodified ECT-without general anesthesia-ceased in 2009, after the recommendations of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Iraq Subcommittee. This closure reduced the availability and accessibility of ECT clinics nationwide because of limited access to general anesthesia. This article explores the nature of ECT services, in the context of Iraq's health care system, sociocultural norms, instability, and international codes of practice. This brief report uses the first author's work experience, few available data, and personal communication to describe the brief history of ECT practice in Iraq. This report is a baseline document for future ECT practice regulation in Iraq.
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Marthoenis M, Yasir Arafat SM. Rate and Associated Factors of Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents in Bangladesh and Indonesia: Global School-Based Student Health Survey Data Analysis. SCIENTIFICA 2022; 2022:8625345. [PMID: 36032991 PMCID: PMC9410988 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8625345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] [Imported: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicidal behavior among adolescents is a major public health problem that is understudied in South East Asian Muslim-majority countries. We aimed to investigate the rate and associated factors of suicidal behavior among adolescents in Bangladesh and Indonesia. METHODS The Global School-based Student Health Survey data of Bangladesh and Indonesia were used in this study. The data consist of a total of 9052 school-aged students from Bangladesh (2570, 28.4%) and Indonesia (6482, 71.6%). Suicidal behavior was assessed using three questions that measure suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, and suicidal attempts. RESULTS The overall rate of suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, and suicidal attempts) was 8.8%, and no significant difference between the two countries (8.9% in Bangladesh and 8.7 in Indonesia) was observed (p=0.81). Factors that independently increased the likelihood of suicidal behavior include female gender, missed class, physical fight four times or more, experienced bullying, anxiety, loneliness, rarely eating fruit, current alcohol use, and sedentary behavior (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, factors that independently decreased the likelihood of suicidal behavior include parental supervision and having close friends, either one, two, three persons, or more (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The study revealed rates and risk factors of suicidal behaviors among the school-going adolescents of two Muslim-majority countries in South East Asia. Prevention strategies should be considered guided by the risk factors for school-going adolescents.
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Association between Suicide Rate and Human Development Index, Income, and the Political System in 46 Muslim-Majority Countries: An Ecological Study. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2022; 12:754-764. [PMID: 35877455 PMCID: PMC9318836 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe12070055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] [Imported: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Very little has been researched assessing the relationship between the suicide rate and the ecological perspectives of the country, especially in the Muslim majority countries. We aimed to determine the association between suicide rate and the ecological parameters of 46 Muslim majority countries. We extracted the Muslim majority countries and their suicide rate, income distribution, distribution of the WHO region and continents, and Human Development Index (HDI). We assessed the correlation of the proportion of Muslim populations, the total population of the countries, number of suicides, continent, income group, political system, and HDI score with the suicide rate. The median suicide rate was 5.45 (IQR = 4.8); 2.9 (IQR = 4) in females and 7.45 (IQR = 8.2) in males per 100,000 population. The males had a significantly higher rate and the highest suicide rate was found in Africa. There are inverse associations between the total suicide rate, the rate in males, and females with HDI, and the income of the country. Furthermore, the suicide rate was significantly higher in countries with democratic systems compared to non-democratic countries. The findings suggest that ecological parameters may have an etiological role on suicides in Muslim countries where HDI and income are inversely associated with suicide rates.
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Arafat SMY, Kar SK, Kabir R. Reproductive health care challenges for married female university students in Bangladesh. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2022; 1:100001. [PMID: 37383093 PMCID: PMC10305853 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] [Imported: 08/29/2023]
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Kar SK, Tripathy S, Arafat SMY. Voice assists (Alexa) and suicidal behavior: A potential area of suicide prevention. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 72:103117. [PMID: 35421623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] [Imported: 08/29/2023]
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Arafat SMY, Saleem T, Edwards TM, Ali SAEZ, Khan MM. Suicide prevention in Bangladesh: The role of family. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2562. [PMID: 35398979 PMCID: PMC9120730 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] [Imported: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is a public health problem that gets little attention in Bangladesh especially in prevention aspects. Recent studies revealed that a significant portion of risk factors is closely related to family events. However, potential prevention strategies considering the family structure and involving family dynamics of Bangladesh have not been discussed. OBJECTIVES We aim to highlight areas of family vulnerability and resilience when the threat of suicide is present, as well as the potential roles of family in suicide prevention in Bangladesh. METHODS We conducted a thorough narrative and focused literature search and synthesized evidence based on available articles discussing suicidality and family dynamics in Bangladesh. RESULTS Risk factors for suicide prevailing in the family have been organized, and several strategies for coping with family risk factors, including marital discord and family conflict have been proposed for testing empirically. CONCLUSIONS The family has an important role to play in suicide prevention in Bangladesh. However, potential prevention strategies and their effectiveness have been untapped in the country. Studies are warranted to test the effectiveness of the proposed strategies.
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Racism, cricket & impact on mass psychology. CNS Spectr 2022; 28:275-276. [PMID: 35373728 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852922000712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Racism is not an uncommon phenomenon in sports, with cricket being no exception to it. Cricket is played in many countries, with its dominance in South East Asia, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Racist remarks in cricket hit media headlines and ignite agitations among the cricket fans. This article discusses the psychological impact of racism associated with cricket and possible remedial measures.
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Kar SK, Shukla S, Rai S, Sharma N, Roy D, Menon V, Arafat SMY. Assessing the Quality of Suicide Reporting in Online Newspapers in Uttar Pradesh, India, According to World Health Organization Guidelines. CRISIS 2022; 43:142-148. [PMID: 33620257 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Background: Sensitive media reporting has an important role in suicide prevention. However, there is no research on the quality of media reporting of suicide in newspapers of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the quality of newspaper reports of suicide against the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting guidelines. Method: Suicide news content of four purposively selected newspapers published between March 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020, were scrutinized. A total of 501 news reports from UP were included. Results: The most commonly reported attribute was the gender of the deceased and the method of suicide. Almost half of the newspapers reported the occupation of the deceased in the title. Mental illness was attributed as a cause of suicide among 23.75% of the news reports. Less than 2% of the news reports referred to expert opinion, research evidence, national or global statistics on suicide, suicide prevention measures, or information about suicide helpline. There was a significant difference in the quality of reporting between the vernacular newspapers and English dailies. Limitations: Only four online newspapers were analyzed retrospectively. Conclusion: The quality of media reporting of suicide in UP is found to be poor despite its negative effect on suicide.
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Singh R, Mahato S, Khadka S, Basnet P, Bista K, Karki R, Arafat SMY. Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal: Quality assessment against World Health Organization media guidelines. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e547. [PMID: 35284645 PMCID: PMC8900976 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] [Imported: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sensible media reporting of suicide is a population-based suicide prevention strategy. However, the quality of media reporting of suicide has not been assessed in Nepal. Objectives We aimed to assess the newspaper reporting status of suicide in Nepal with reference to World Health Organization (WHO) media guidelines for suicide reporting. Method We retrospectively searched eight major newspapers in Nepal between January 2020 and May 2021 and assessed 167 news reports against WHO suicide reporting guidelines. Results Potentially harmful characteristics were found to be reported in both the title and main text of the reports. About half of them mentioned sex (48.5%) and 38.3% mentioned the location of suicide in the title. Of the 167 reports, 74.3%, 95.2%, 34.7%, 92.2%, 98.8%, and 52.7% mentioned the name, sex, occupation, method of suicide, the location of suicide, and life events, respectively, in their main content. On the other hand, only 6% and 2.4% of reports mentioned linkage of suicides with mental illness and substance abuse, respectively. While lesser than 1% of reports narrated educative information regarding suicide prevention, none mentioned contact information for help-seeking for the vulnerable. Conclusion Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal poorly adheres to WHO guidelines, substantiated by the high presence of potentially harmful characteristics and negligible presence of potentially helpful characteristics.
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Arafat SMY, Ahmad AR, Saeed AK, Menon V, Shoib S, Kar SK. Quality of media reporting of suicide in Iraq. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:443-448. [PMID: 33736514 DOI: 10.1177/00207640211003928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] [Imported: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass media has an important role in influencing the suicidal behavior of the general population. However, the quality of news reporting of suicide has not been assessed in Iraq. AIM We aimed to assess the quality of news reports in Iraq while reporting the suicidal behaviors. METHODS The search was done on Google in November and December 2020 with the search term 'suicide news in Iraq' and accessible news reports distributed in Kurdish, Arabic, and English languages were taken out. We scrutinized the news reports to identify the reporting characteristics and compared them with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. RESULTS A total of 130 news reports were analyzed; among them 23.8% were Kurdish, 63.8% were Arabic, and 12.3% were in the English language. About 31.5% of the reports mentioned the name and 40.8% mentioned the occupation. The name of method was mentioned in 88.5%, mono-causality was found in about 34.6%, the term 'suicide' was mentioned in the headline in 94.6%, and method of suicide was mentioned in the headline of about 27.7% of the reports. Only 5.4% of the reports traced mental illness, 6.9% mentioned expert opinion, and none of the reports mentioned prevention program, and educative information. CONCLUSION The study revealed that news reports of suicidal behavior in Iraq are poorly adherent to the WHO reporting guidelines. Further studies are warranted to identify the responsible factors and culture-specific prevention strategies.
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