Factors Associated with Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Presenting to Urban Primary Care: An Analysis of De-Identified Clinical Data

Neha A. Pandeya, Philip J. Schluter, Geoffrey K. Spurling, Claudette Tyson, Noel E. Hayman and Deborah A. Askew
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Neha A. Pandeya: General Practice Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
Philip J. Schluter: General Practice Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
Geoffrey K. Spurling: General Practice Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
Claudette Tyson: Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care, Metro South Health, P.O. Box 52, Inala, QLD 4077, Australia
Noel E. Hayman: General Practice Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
Deborah A. Askew: General Practice Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Suicide amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a major cause of premature mortality and a significant contributor to the health and life expectancy gap. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of thoughts of self-harm or suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people attending an urban primary health care service and identify factors associated with these thoughts. Multilevel mixed-effects modified Poisson regression models were employed to analyse three years of data gathered during the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments. At their first health assessment, 11.5% (191/1664) of people reported thoughts of suicide or self-harm in the prior two weeks. Having children, participating in sport or community activities or being employed full-time decreased the risk of such thoughts. Conversely, factors relating to social exclusion including homelessness, drug use, unemployment and job insecurity increased the risk of thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Individual clinicians, health services, and policy-makers all have a role in suicide prevention. Clinicians need appropriate training to be able to respond to people expressing these thoughts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations need sovereignty and self-determination over resources to provide programs that promote cultural connectivity and address social exclusion, thereby saving lives.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; suicidal ideation; primary health care; epidemiological study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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