Chronicity of self-harming behaviors among adolescent teenage girls living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Psychology
Abstract
Background: Self-harming ideations demand targeted research due to their persistent nature, especially among
female adolescents within refugee populations who face unique challenges that can exacerbate self-harming
tendencies. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with self-harming ideations chronicity among female
teenagers living in refugee settlement in Northern Uganda.
Method This cross-sectional study used a pretested questionnaire to assess self-harming ideations and other
demographic characteristics. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with chronicity of
self-harm ideations.
Results: Of 385 participants, the prevalence of self-harming ideations was 4.2% (n = 16) for acute, 8% (n = 31) for
subacute, and 3.1% (n = 12) for chronic. The likelihood of having more chronic self-harming ideations increased with
having ever been pregnant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.78, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.57–9.08). However,
having a spouse as the family head reduced the likelihood of having more chronic self-harming ideations (aOR = 0.19,
95% CI = 0.04–0.95).
Conclusions: The persistence of self-harming thoughts among female teenagers in Northern Ugandan refugee
settlements varies. Pregnancy history is associated with a higher chance of prolonged self-harming thoughts while
having a spouse as the family’s head is linked with a lower likelihood. Examining different demographic and familial
elements when addressing the mental well-being of female teenage refugees is vital. It stresses the necessity
for customized interventions and support networks targeting the reduction of self-harm behaviors among this
vulnerable group.
Description
The authors acknowledge the support of Centre for International
Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan, United States of
America, the participants and the dedicated research assistants.
Author contributions
All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material
preparation and data collection were performed by D.O., and P.F.P., while data
analysis was performed by J. A. The first draft of the manuscript was written by
M.M.K and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All
authors read and approved the final manuscript
Keywords
Self-harm ideations, Chronicity of self-harming behaviors, suicidal behaviors, teenagers, Females, Refugees, and Uganda