Differences in attitude toward prevention of suicide between nursing and medicine students: A study in Mexican population

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the attitude toward suicide prevention in medicine and nursing students attending University in south Mexico, considering their family and personal history of suicide. Demographic features and self-reported personal and family history of suicide were evaluated in 355 Mexican students at the Health Sciences School. Their views toward suicide prevention was assessed using the Attitude Toward Suicide Prevention scale. Comparisons between medicine and nursing students were performed, as well as between had or had-not previous personal or family history of suicide. Our results support that nursing students showed the most negative attitude toward suicide prevention. Therefore, training programs and strategies encouraging a better attitude in suicide prevention are necessary to be implemented. It is also necessary to consider cultural, ethnic and family backgrounds of the students/of the population when developing new strategies.

Keywords: Attitude; Medicine student; Mexican population; Nursing student; Suicide.