Date of Award

1-15-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Policy and Management

First Advisor

Dr. Rozina Karmaliani

Second Advisor

Dr. Murad Moosa Khan

Third Advisor

Dr. Nargis Asad

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing the readiness of suicide prevention among faculty advisors/mentors of Aga Khan University (AKU) Medical College (MC) and School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), Karachi, Pakistan.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were, (1) determine the knowledge of faculty advisors/mentors regarding students’ suicide, its risk factors, and legal implications in a medical and nursing school of AKU, Karachi; (2) assess the attitude of faculty advisors/mentors towards students’ suicide and its prevention in a medical and nursing school of AKU, Karachi; (3) assess the relationship between socio-demographic factors and attitude of the faculty advisors/mentors towards suicide in medical and nursing school of AKU, Karachi.
Methods: The total population sampling method was used to recruit all faculty advisors/mentors of AKU-MC and AKU-SONAM through Emails. The Scale of Public Attitudes about Suicide (SPAS) was used to assess knowledge and attitude among the faculty advisors/mentors towards suicide. It is a validated tool with Cronbach alpha ranging from 0.62 to 0.87. The findings of SPAS were analyzed quantitatively, descriptive statistics for knowledge items and attitude subscale scores were reported as Mean ± SD and socio-demographic data was reported as frequency and percentages. Relationship of socio-demographic factors with attitude of the SONAM and MC advisors/mentors was assessed via Independent t-test/one-way ANOVA, as deemed appropriate. The three open ended questions were analyzed qualitatively via content analysis.
Results: Faculty advisors/mentors believed that suicide is preventable, socially important, it cannot be self-controlled, and that suicide attempts and suicides are same. Though, they lacked understanding and empathetic attitude towards suicidal individual. They had neutral attitude and views regarding stigmatization and that suicide is a way to control others. About 90% faculty advisors/mentors agreed that people who have attempted suicide may repeat their suicidal behavior and, 75% agreed that people who say they intend to kill themselves may actually do it. However, only 50% faculty advisors/mentors agreed that talking about suicide related issues with an individual does iv not precipitate suicidal behavior. A statistically significant difference was noted between different age groups and parental statuses. Content analysis of three open ended questions in the study generated three themes (1) Risk factors of suicide in students, (2) Legal implications of suicide in Pakistan and (3) Recommendations to prevent suicide in students. The themes were further divided into categories and subcategories.
Discussion: The misconceptions and unempathetic attitude towards suicide indicated the need for training of faculty advisors/mentors to modify their attitude towards suicide prevention. The major recommendations by the participants of this study included support from institution, social assistance and provision of services and opportunities to prevent suicide in students. Study findings also rendered implications for policy, education, and research. A research study with a larger sample size and interventional approach may enhance additional knowledge and improve the perception regarding suicide prevention and its relationship with attitude towards suicide

First Page

1

Last Page

46

Download

Share

COinS