Exploring the determinants of Suicide among Married Women in Chitral, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the factors that lead to committing suicide among married women of Chitral, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

METHOD

A qualitative study using a family ethnographic approach was utilized to explore the complex factors contributing to suicidal behavior among women in Chitral, aiming to understand the underlying causes and risk factors. Data collection took place between April to July 2016, employing a combination of semi-structured interviews, observation, and study records. To analyze the gathered data, a social-ecological model was used, which led to the identification of various categories and themes. It is important to note that the study received approval from the ethical committee of Aga Khan University Karachi, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of the participants, pseudonyms were assigned, ensuring anonymity throughout the research process.

RESULTS

According to the research findings, domestic violence was the primary reason for suicide among the women, which was further divided into five categories, including: (i) personal factors; (ii) family level factors; (iii) community level factors; (iv) society level factors.

CONCLUSION

Study findings provided insights into determinants leading to suicide among married women in Chitral. The major contributing factor highlighted is domestic violence with sub-factors. The findings of the research study will make significant contributions to the prevention of suicide among women.