Table 1 Characteristics of suicide cases and controls

Socio-demographic data

   History of divorce

7 (11.7%)

4 (3.3%)

3.83 (1.08-13.65)*

   Low education (≤ 9 years)

49 (81.7%)

75 (62.5%)

2.67 (1.26-5.67)*

   Living alone

5 (8.3%)

1 (0.8%)

10.82 (1.23-94.81)*

   Unemployed

25 (41.7%)

20 (16.7%)

3.57 (1.77-7.21)***

Negative life events

   Severe interpersonal problems

26(43.3%)

10 (8.3%)

8.41 (3.69-19.19)***

   Severe financial problems

14 (23.3%)

12 (10.0%)

2.74 (1.18-6.38)*

   Serious physical illness

14(23.3%)

10 (8.3%)

3.35 (1.39-8.08)**

Mental health factors

   At least one psychiatric diagnosis

48 (80.0%)

18 (15.0%)

22.67 (10.11-50.80)***

   Past psychiatric treatment

8 (13.3%)

2 (1.7%)

9.08 (1.86-44.22)**

   Past treatment from traditional healer

11 (18.3%)

6 (5.0%)

4.27 (1.49-12.18)**

Psychosocial factors

   Low level of religious involvement

27 (45.0%)

6 (5.0%)

15.55 (5.92-40.83)***

   Small social network

17 (28.3%)

4 (3.3%)

11.47 (3.65-35.99)***

   Low frequency of social contact

13 (21.7%)

10 (8.3%)

3.04 (1.25-7.43)*

   Previous suicide attempt

12 (20.0%)

2 (1.7%)

14.75 (3.18-68.40)**

   Family history of suicide

10 (16.7%)

3 (2.5%)

7.80 (2.06-29.56)***