Suicidal Behavior in Egypt

Estimates of the suicide rate in Egypt range from 0.16 per 100,000 per year to 4.4 with a decline in the suicide rate over the last 20 years. Most studies have found that the modal suicide was male, aged 20–30, from the middle class and an urban resident. Different methods for the act have been used, including drugs, toxins, poisons, burning, firearms, and hanging. In a sample of university students, 17.5% reported suicidal ideation and 7.1% had suicide attempts. Several factors have been identified as impacting suicidal intent in Egyptian samples, e.g., parental neglectful styles, overprotection, hoping to influence others, and depression. Suicidal ideation is positively associated with the severity of addiction, negative affect, antagonism disinhibition, psychoticism, and impulsiveness. Religious obsessions and comorbid major depressive disorder predict current suicidal ideation. In general, the Egyptian results on suicidal ideation and attempts match those found in studies conducted in Europe and the United States.