Volume 4, Issue 2 (April 2025)                   Health Science Monitor 2025, 4(2): 122-130 | Back to browse issues page


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Shadnezhad P, Babazadeh M, Rostami A, Abdizadeh N. Suicidal ideation prevalence among medical students of Urmia, Iran. Health Science Monitor 2025; 4 (2) :122-130
URL: http://hsm.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-211-en.html
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Abstract:   (220 Views)

Background & Aims: Committing suicide, particularly among young adults, has become a significant global concern, with approximately 726000 individuals succumbing to this tragedy each year. Suicidal ideation often begins as a nebulous inclination towards self-harm, which can subsequently escalate into actual suicide attempts. Medical students, in particular, are at heightened risk for suicidal ideation due to the prolonged duration of their studies, the demanding nature of their coursework, and the stressful conditions encountered in clinical and hospital settings. This study aims to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation among medical students at Urmia University of Medical Sciences in 2024.
Materials & Methods:  This research was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 311 students were randomly chosen through a stratified sampling method. Participants completed a demographic information form along with the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) Questionnaire.
Results: In this research, the incidence of suicidal ideation among medical students was found to be 17.7%. Specifically, 14.5% of the participants reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, while 3.2% indicated a willingness to attempt suicide. A notable association was identified between age (p = 0.04) and place of residence (p = 0.016) with suicidal ideation. Conversely, no significant relationships were observed between gender (p = 0.577), marital status (p = 0.813), educational attainment (p = 0.355), nativity status (p = 0.834), and the frequency of shifts per month (p = 0.518) concerning suicidal ideation.  
Conclusion: The present research indicates a significant prevalence of suicidal thoughts among medical students. The occurrence of suicide within this demographic can lead to profound and lasting consequences for both the medical and educational frameworks of the nation.

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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Health Protection including control of communicable and non-communicable diseases
Received: 2024/11/9 | Accepted: 2025/03/25 | Published: 2025/04/30

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