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Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 3/2011

01-03-2011 | Original Paper

The relationship of comorbidity of mental and substance use disorders with suicidal behaviors in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Authors: Richard Uwakwe, Oye Gureje

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 3/2011

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Abstract

Background

Mental and substance use disorders are often associated with an elevated risk for suicidal behaviors. The role of the co-occurrence of multiple disorders in this association is still unclear.

Method

The Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing is a community survey of mental and substance use disorders as well as of suicidal outcomes. Face-to-face assessment was conducted using the World Health Organization’s Composite International Diagnostic Interview, version 3. A total of 6,752 adults, aged 18 years and over, were interviewed.

Results

Persons with lifetime suicide attempt were more likely than those without attempt to have experienced lifetime DSM-IV disorders. Lifetime attempters were also more likely to have comorbid conditions. Compared with only 0.4% of persons with no history of lifetime attempts, over 11% of persons with lifetime attempt had three or more co-occurring disorders. Multivariate analysis controlling for the effects of comorbid conditions suggests that while mood disorder is independently associated with suicidal outcomes, comorbidity partly explains the association of anxiety disorders and almost fully accounts for the association of substance use disorders with suicidal outcomes.

Conclusion

Comorbidity is an important factor in the association of mental and substance use disorders with suicidal behavior.
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Metadata
Title
The relationship of comorbidity of mental and substance use disorders with suicidal behaviors in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Authors
Richard Uwakwe
Oye Gureje
Publication date
01-03-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0178-2

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