Suicide And Violence Against Women in Azerbaijan: Risk Factors And Barriers For Seeking Mental Healthcare

Abstract

Background: Azerbaijan is ranked among the 3 countries with the highest rates of suicide in the Muslim
world, and rates are increasing. Violence against women is an equally alarming public health issue in
Azerbaijan. A scarcity of data has limited accurate identification of risk factors for suicide and violence
against women and barriers to help-seeking. This study aims to address this gap.
Method: Thirty (30) in-depth qualitative interviews with women in the community and 4 semistructured
focus groups with key informant groups (mental health providers (psychologists, social
workers, psychiatrists), teachers, and survivors of suicide) were held to examine perspectives regarding
suicide and violence against women in Azerbaijan. A mixed method was employed using quantitative
analysis and thematic content analysis. Thirty (30) of interviews were conducted and 4 of focus groups
were held (see table 1). Focus group members represented 4.
Results: Employed participants were more likely to consider suicide a problem compared to unemployed
participants (p=.05); unemployed participants were more likely to view treatment as acceptable
compared to employed participants (p=.05). Additionally, older participants were more likely to view
both suicide (p=.03) and violence against women (p=.026) as significant problems facing the country.
The majority of participants viewed suicide (83%) and violence against women (73%) as problems in
Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, 33% reported negative stereotypes regarding suicide and mental healthcare
and 50% reported psychological treatment as unaccepted in Azerbaijan.
Conclusion: Suicide and violence against women are recognized problems for women in Azerbaijan.
Stigma against mental illness is high and the mental healthcare system remains disproportionately
institutionalized and under-funded. This highlights the need for building mental health workforce
capacity and promoting advocacy efforts addressing policies regarding the allocation of funding for
mental healthcare. Key recommendations for such programming are presented.