Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Among Transgender Persons in Delhi, India; a community based cross-sectional study
P. Haldar, P. Gilhotra, R. Sagar, S. K. Rai, R. Khadgawat, P. Kumar, S. RajanIntroduction
Transgender persons face significant health disparities globally. These challenges lead to increased burden of mental health outcomes and suicidal ideation, driven by stigma, discrimination, familial rejection and gender-related issues. There is limited evidence for prevalence of suicidal ideation in India, specifically North India. Thus we aimed to determine the proportion and factors associated with suicidal ideation in last one year among transgender persons of Delhi, India.
Objectives
To determine the proportion and factors associated with suicidal ideation, suicidal planning and suicidal attempt among transgender persons of Delhi, India.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the six targeted intervention sites in Delhi, India. These 6 sites provide general support and medical care services to Transgender persons in Delhi. Participants were self-identified transgender persons ≥18 years of age. Structured interview schedule developed using formative research and literature review was administered to assess suicidal ideation, suicidal planning and suicidal attempt during last one year. Factors associated with suicidal ideation were identified in univariable logistic regression; variables associated at p < 0.20 were included in multivariable logistic regression model.
Results
Among the 204 transgender persons with mean±SD age, 27.7±7.9 years, 78 participants (38.2%, 95%CI: 31.6, 44.8) reported having suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months; 55 (27.0%, 95%CI: 20.9, 33.1) had planned for their suicide; 35 (17.2%, 95%CI: 11.7, 22.6) had made at least one suicide attempt. Suicidal ideation was significantly higher among those, with current main occupation of begging with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 10.37 [2.50,43.0]); cannabis use during past 3 months (AOR=8.4, 95% CI [1.6, 43.4]); encountering more than one stressful events in past 12 months (AOR=3.9, 95% CI [1.2, 13.2]); with having experience of gender dysphoria (AOR= 3.7, 95% CI [1.5, 9.1]); having diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (AOR=12.0, 95% CI [2.1, 67.2]).
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