Prevalence and influence factors of suicidal ideation among females and males in Northwestern urban China: A population-based epidemiological study

Abstract

Background: Suicide is an urgent public health challenge for China. This study aims to examine the prevalence, influence factors, and gender differences of suicidal ideation among general population in Northwestern Urban China. Methods: Data used in this study were derived from the third wave of a cohort study of a randomized community sample with 4291 participants (≥20 years) in 2008 in Lanzhou City and Baiyin City, Gansu Province. Data were collected via face-to-face interview by the trained interviewers. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions were performed by using Stata 12.0, as needed. Results: The prevalence of 12-month suicidal ideation was 4.29 %, there was no significant difference between males and females [5.04 % vs 3.62 %, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)∈=∈0.83, p∈=∈0.351]. Several risk factors for suicidal ideation were confirmed, including being unmarried (AOR∈=∈1.55, p∈=∈0.030), having depression symptoms (AOR∈=∈2.33, p∈