Literacy and stigma of suicide in Bangladesh: Scales validation and status assessment among university students

Background Increased suicide literacy and reduced stigma toward suicide facilitate the care‐seeking for suicidal behavior. However, no attempt has been identified to determine these two vital aspects in Bangladesh. Objectives We aimed to validate the literacy of suicide scale and stigma of suicide scale into Bangla along with the determination of the level of suicide literacy and stigma toward suicide. Methods We conducted this study between April and June 2021. Data were collected from medical school and university students by Google form. We used a questionnaire consisting of four segments (i.e., sociodemographic questionnaire, a questionnaire for suicidal behavior, Bangla literacy of suicide scale [LOSS‐B], and Bangla stigma of suicide scale [SOSS‐B]) for data collection. We tested the psychometric properties of the scales in a sample of 529 students and examined factors associated with suicide stigma and literacy. Results The mean age of the students was 22.61 ± 1.68 (range 18–27) years, 274 (51.8%) were males, 476 (89.9%) were graduate students, and 490 (92.6%) were unmarried. The mean score of LOSS was 4.27 ± 1.99 ranging from 0 to 10. Factor analysis revealed acceptable psychometric properties of SOSS‐B. The literacy was significantly higher in females, students of medicine, having a family history of suicidal attempts, and a history of student nonfatal attempts, while stigma was significantly lower among the females and a history of past attempts. Conclusions This study revealed the level of literacy and stigma and culturally tested the psychometric properties of the LOSS‐B and SOSS‐B among university students in Bangladesh. This is the first attempt to determine the level of suicide literacy and stigma in Bangladesh. We tested the psychometric properties of the literacy and stigma of suicide scales in Bangla. The literacy was significantly higher in females, students of medicine, having a family history of suicidal attempts, and a history of student non‐fatal attempts.