Self-confidence and knowledge of suicide assessment and prevention amongst first-line health professionals in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
Background: First-line health professionals are uniquely positioned to recognise suicidal behaviours in patients. However, the opportunities are often missed or poorly managed. Self-confidence and knowledge of suicide prevention and assessment by health professionals can lead to prompt recognition a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2022-01-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5377 |
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| Summary: | Background: First-line health professionals are uniquely positioned to recognise suicidal behaviours in patients. However, the opportunities are often missed or poorly managed. Self-confidence and knowledge of suicide prevention and assessment by health professionals can lead to prompt recognition and management of at-risk individuals. This study evaluates the first-line health professionals’ self-confidence and knowledge of suicide assessment in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), South Africa.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six healthcare facilities across NMBM between January 2020 and March 2020. Five hundred first-line healthcare professionals were recruited to respond to a validated self-administered questionnaire to collect demographic characteristics, self-confidence levels and knowledge of suicide assessment and associated factors.
Results: A total of 344 first-line health professionals completed the questionnaire (68.8% response rate); 40% of the respondents work in emergency units and 77.3% reported frequent encounters with patients who attempted suicide. Most participants had not received suicide assessment training during their undergraduate or postgraduate years (59.6% and 81.1%, respectively). They also lacked adequate knowledge and self-confidence in suicide assessment. Younger age, minimal work experience and attendance of two or more hours of suicide prevention training were associated with higher knowledge of suicide assessment.
Conclusion: Findings revealed gaps in self-confidence and knowledge of suicide management, attributed to lack of training in suicide management. Health authorities should prioritise upskilling of front-line workers in suicide prevention and assessment, specifically targeting older nurses in the region. |
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| ISSN: | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |