Author(s)

Christian Eyoum^1,2*, Léonce Kengno Kologne¹, Charlotte Eposse Ekoube^1,2, Annick Mélanie Magnerou^1,2, Joséphine Manga Befolo¹, Cindy Laura Ndepa¹, Daniel Gams Massi³, Aurore Nzesseu Djomo², Guy Jonas Basseguin Atchou¹, Guy Calvin Mbongo’O⁴, Rihta Mbono Mbekoto^1,2, Iyawa Hassanatou^1,2, Fabiola Tchouankeu Kounga⁴, Christiane Medi Sike^2,4, Josiane Essola^1,2, Jacques Narcisse Doumbe¹, Erero Njiengwe², Callixte Kuate Tegueu^2,4

¹Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
²Laquintinie Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.
³Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
⁴Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Introduction: Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary disease that combines physical and psychological manifestations, including suicidal tendencies. So far, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted on suicidal behaviours among people with sickle cell disease in Cameroon. This is what justifies our study on the prevalence and factors related to suicidal behaviors in our study population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, analytical study of 171 sickle cell patients aged from 12 years upwards who came to the sickle cell disease care service of the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, over a period of 6 months, that is, from 1 January to 31 June 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with questions on suicidal behaviours based on the “MINI” (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). The data were processed using the SPSS 26.0 software. The related factors were studied in both a bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Female sickle cell patients accounted for 60.2% of the sample. The mean age was 23.36 ± 8.42 years. Suicidal ideation was prevalent in 56% of cases and 13% attempted suicide. The factors most associated with suicidal ideation were: primary level of education (OR = 0.08 (0.09 - 0.79); p = 0.03), feeling unworthy of life (OR = 0.40 (0.08 - 1.96); p = 0.02), not often being considered by those around them (OR = 2.97 (1.26 - 6.99); p = 0.01), lack of family support (OR = 0.34 (0.15 - 0.77); p = 0.01). Meanwhile, the factors associated with suicide attempts were: the fact of being rarely exposed to suicide-related media (OR = 4.17 (1.40 - 71.80); p = 0.03), and a constant feeling of sadness when returning home (OR = 18.02 (1.59 - 20.55); p = 0.01). Conclusion: More than half of sickle cell patients had had suicidal thoughts and 1/6 had made at least one suicide attempt, women and young adults being the most concerned. It is therefore necessary to ensure optimum psychological care for patients with sickle cell disease.

Sickle Cell Disease, Suicidal Behaviours, Self-Harm

Eyoum, C. , Kologne, L. , Ekoube, C. , Magnerou, A. , Befolo, J. , Ndepa, C. , Massi, D. , Djomo, A. , Atchou, G. , Mbongo’O, G. , Mbekoto, R. , Hassanatou, I. , Kounga, F. , Sike, C. , Essola, J. , Doumbe, J. , Njiengwe, E. and Tegueu, C. (2024) Suicidal Behaviours in Sickle Cell Patients at the Douala Sickle Cell Care Centre in Cameroon. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 14, 265-281. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2024.143014.