Suicidal attempt among patients with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study from Morocco

¹ Laboratory of biology and health, Faculty of science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
² Faculty of medicine and pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
³ Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Translational NeuroPsychiatry Laboratory, F94010, Créteil, France
⁴ Laboratory of autoimmunity, National Institute of Hygiene Rabat Morocco

Abstract

Suicide constitutes the greatest risk factor for mortality in individuals with schizophrenia. Although numerous risk factors have been suggested as important predictors of suicidality in schizophrenia, most studies have focused on Caucasian and Chinese patients.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of suicide attempts in schizophrenia patients in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Morocco, and to identify associated clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Ar-RAZI Psychiatric Center of Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat. We examined 175 Moroccan schizophrenic patients. The sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed based on the presence or absence of suicide attempts.

The prevalence of suicide attempts among patients was 32%. 43% of them had reported multiple suicide attempts. The majority of those who attempted suicide were single, younger, and with a lower economic status. Visual hallucinations were significantly prevalent among attempter patients compared to non-attempters (p =0.032).

Consequently, visual hallucinations could be a risk factor for suicide attempts in the Moroccan population.

Understanding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with suicide attempts can help identify patients at higher risk and provide appropriate support and interventions to prevent suicide among the Moroccan population.