Browsing by Author "Najjuka, Sarah Maria"

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Correction To: Gambling-Related Suicide in East African Community Countries: Evidence From Press Media Reports
(Scopus, 22-02-08) Munaru, Gideon; Kaggwa, Mark Mohan; Mamun, Mohammed A.; Najjuka, Sarah Maria; Muwanguzi, Moses; Kule, Moses; Nkola, Rahel; Favina, Alain; Kihumuro, Raymond Bernard; Arinaitwe, Innocent; Rukundo, Godfrey Zari; Grifths, Mark D.
Background: Gambling activities and associated mental health problems have become a topic of increased concern globally. Many individuals with a severe gambling disorder have gambling-related suicidality. However, no study has explored gambling-related suicide in East African Community (EAC) countries. The present study investigated the press media reporting of gambling-related suicide cases from EAC countries. Methods: As there is no established suicide database in that region, media reports were utilized to collect gamblingrelated suicide data. Gambling-related suicide case reports were searched for in EAC countries’ press media websites using Google. After removing duplicates, a total of 18 suicides were found. Results: The victims were all males aged 16 to 40 years. The most prevalent reason for the death was university students who had used their university tuition fees for gambling and losing the money (n =4/17). All the suicide deaths were in Kenya (10/18), Uganda (7/18), and Tanzania (1/18). Betting on soccer was the most common type of gambling reported (n =11/15), and hanging was the most used mode of suicide (n =10/16). Conclusions: Based on the press media reports, 18 males were identifed as having carried out gambling-related suicides. The countries with the most widespread opportunities to gamble had more gambling-related suicides, although the number of suicides was very small. Keywords: Gambling, Betting, Uganda, Kenya, East Africa, Suicide, Media reporting suicide, Gambling-related suicide, East African community, Gambling laws
Substance Use Disorder Among Adolescents Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Uganda
(Daffodil International University, 2022-05-26) Kaggwa, Mark Mohan; Abaatyo, Joan; Alol, Emmanuel; Muwanguz, Moses; Najjuka, Sarah Maria; Favina, Alain; Rukundo, Godfrey Zari; Ashaba, Scholastic; Mamun, Mohammed A.
It has been reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has predisposed adolescents to risky behaviors such as substance use and subsequent substance use disorder (SUD). However, it is unknown how the pandemic has changed the prevalence of SUD among adolescents in Uganda. We aimed to determine the prevalence of SUD and associated factors among adolescents in southwestern Uganda. Retrospectively, psychiatry ward records from November 2018 to July 2021 were collected from the largest tertiary hospital in southwestern Uganda. A total of 441 adolescent records were included in the analysis, with a mean age was 17±1.88 years, and the majority were males (50.34%). The overall prevalence of SUD was 7.26% (5.90% and 9.80% before and during the pandemic). Despite a little rise in SUD (3.9% increment) during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no statistical difference compared to before the pandemic. The likelihood of being diagnosed with SUD was more among older adolescents at any period. In addition, having a diagnosis of bipolar mood disorder reduced the likelihood of SUD during the pandemic. This study indicated no statistical change in the diagnosis of SUD among adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. As older-male adolescents (17 to 19 years) were at higher risk of SUD, there is a need for early intervention for this group.
Suicidal Behaviors and Associated Factors Among Medical Students in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
(Elsevier, 2022-12-09) Kaggwa, Mark Mohan; Najjuka, Sarah Maria; Favina, Alain; Griffiths, Mark D.; Mamun, Mohammed A.
Background Suicide behaviors are common among medical students, and the prevalence rates might vary across various regions. Even though various systematic reviews have been conducted to assess suicidal behaviors among medical students in general, no review has ever assessed or carried out a sub-analysis to show the burden of suicidal behaviors among African medical students which was fulfilled in the present study. Method A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence studies among African medical students from PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar databases. A total of 204 publications were identified. The studies' selection, data extraction, and methodological evaluation were performed, and meta-analysis was performed based on the random effects model. Results Data were obtained from 14 eligible studies, including 8585 medical students in Africa. The pooled prevalence of lifetime suicidal behaviors was 18.7% for suicidal ideation (95% CI: 14.1%-23.3; I 2 = 94.37%; p < 0.001), 3.8% for suicidal plans (95% CI: 2.7%-4.8%; I 2 = 0.03%; p < 0.001), and 5.5% for suicide attempts (95% CI: 3.8%-7.2%; I 2 = 89.47%; p < 0.001). The factors associated with suicidal ideations were female gender, use of alcohol, depression, and use of khat. Only depression was associated with suicide attempts. Limitations The review involved few studies, and not all African regions were represented. Conclusion Suicidal behaviors, particularly suicide attempts, are high among medical students in Africa. However, very few studies are done in the region to clearly quantify the burden and its associated factors.
Suicidal Behaviours Among Ugandan University Students
(Scopus, 22-04-01) Kaggwa, Mark Mohan; Arinaitwe, Innocent; Muwanguzi, Moses; Nduhuura, Elicana; Kajjimu, Jonathan; Kule, Moses; Najjuka, Sarah Maria; Nkola, Rahel; Ajuna, Noble; Wamala, Nicholas Kisaakye; Machacha, Ivan; Mamun, Mohammed A.; Ho, Cyrus Su‑Hui; Grifths, Mark D.; Rukundo, Godfrey Zari
Background: Suicide remains the leading cause of death among university students often resulting from multiple physical and psychological challenges. Moreover, suicidal behaviours among students appear to have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to some studies. Objective: To explore the prevalence and associated factors for suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among university students in Uganda. Methods: Cross-sectional study data were collected from May to September 2021 from 540 undergraduate univer‑ sity students in south-western Uganda (363 males, mean age 23.3 years). Questions from the General Health Ques‑ tionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to assess suicidal ideation, while other bespoke questions were used to assess suicide plans and attempts. The survey also investigated the suicide attempt/plan method, location of the suicidal activity, and reason for not enacting the suicide plan. Three independent regression analyses were used to determine the fac‑ tors associated with diferent forms of suicidal behaviours. Results: The prevalence of past-year suicidal behaviours was 31.85% for suicidal ideation, 8.15% for suicide plans, and 6.11% for suicide attempts. Having a chronic physical medical condition increased the likelihood of having all forms of suicidal behaviours. Suicidal ideation was associated with having difculty paying university tuition fees. However, being in the ffth year of university education, and feeling satisfed with current academic grades reduced the likeli‑ hood of suicidal ideation. Individuals feeling satisfed with academic performance appeared to be a protective factor against having suicide plans. Suicide attempts were associated with having a history of sexual abuse and having dif‑ fculty paying university tuition fees. The most common method used for attempted suicide was a drug overdose, and the most common location for attempted suicide was their homes. Conclusion: University students have prevalent suicide behaviours especially among students with a chronic physi‑ cal medical condition, a history of sexual abuse, and problems paying university tuition fees. Based on the present study, for students at risk, universities should provide appropriate interventions such as life skills education and suicide prevention techniques. Keywords: Suicide, University students, University tuition fees, COVID-19, Chronic physical medical conditions, Uganda