The prevalence of suicidal behaviors and their mental risk factors among young adolescents in 46 low- and middle-income countries

•Prevalence of suicidal behaviors in adolescents were common in LMICs.•The overall prevalence of three suicidal behaviors were higher in girls.•Suicidal ideation and planning were more common in the 14–15 age group than 12–13 age group.•In most LMICs (especially in Africa), students should be taught about how to respond to stressful situations. To describe the prevalence of suicidal behaviors (ideation, planning, and attempt) and their associated factors in young adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used the latest data from the Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS) for adolescents aged 12–15 years during 2009–2015. The weighted prevalence and 95% confidential intervals (CIs) of suicidal behaviors were calculated using a random-effects model. The factors associated with suicidal behaviors were examined using logistic regression analysis. Data from 130,488 adolescents (48.13% boys) in 46 LMICs were included in the study. Across all countries, the pooled 12-month prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempt were 14.5%, 14.6%, and 12.7%, respectively. The highest prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempt were all in Africa (16.7%, 19.3% and 17.0%), and the lowest prevalence were all in South-East Asia (8.2%, 10.5% and 7.4%). The overall prevalence of three suicidal behaviors were higher in girls (all P < 0.001). Suicidal ideation and planning were more common in the 14–15 age group than 12–13 age group (both P < 0.001). The factors associated with suicidal behaviors were being female, older age, loneliness, anxiety, a lack of close friends, and having family supportive (all P < 0.001). The GSHS data were obtained from a self-report questionnaire and the participants included in the GSHS were adolescents in school. The prevalence of suicidal behaviors remains high among young adolescents in LMICs, especially in Africa. These countries should be intervention priorities.