Non-suicidal self-injury among young Algerian men: prevalence and public health determinants
Abstract
Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a major indicator of psychological distress and a relevant public health concern among young adults. However, data from North African populations remain limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of NSSI and identify associated factors among young Algerian men, with implications for public health surveillance and prevention.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among a randomly selected sample of 1,013 men aged 19–30 years undergoing mandatory pre-conscription medical examinations. NSSI was identified through systematic clinical examination during full-body physical assessment. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychiatric variables were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.
Results: The prevalence of NSSI was 4.4% (95% CI: 3.3–5.9), corresponding to 45 identified cases. In multivariable analysis, lower educational level was significantly associated with NSSI (OR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.72–6.41). Tobacco use (OR = 5.66; 95% CI: 1.29–24.76) and alcohol consumption (OR = 6.03; 95% CI: 3.09–11.79) showed strong positive associations. A history of psychiatric disorders was also significantly associated with NSSI (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.03–5.91). The model demonstrated good fit (Hosmer–Lemeshow p = 0.60) and overall statistical significance (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: NSSI among young Algerian men represents a relevant but under-recognized public health issue. The observed prevalence is lower than that reported in Europe, the United States, and East Asia, potentially reflecting methodological strengths, particularly direct clinical assessment during mandatory examinations, which reduces underreporting bias.
Findings highlight the importance of behavioral risk factors and psychiatric vulnerability, supporting the need for early detection and integrated prevention strategies targeting young adult populations.
Key messages: • Population-based studies on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are essential to strengthen epidemiological knowledge and inform evidence-based public health planning and decision-making.
• NSSI is strongly associated with modifiable behavioral and psychosocial risk factors, highlighting the need for early identification and targeted preventive interventions in young men.
Related
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- Prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior among police personnel in Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study
BibTeX
@article{kafi2026nonsuicidal,
title = {{Non-suicidal self-injury among young Algerian men: prevalence and public health determinants}},
author = {S Kafi and L Abdenour and A Matari},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1979},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1979},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Non-suicidal self-injury among young Algerian men: prevalence and public health determinants
AU - S Kafi
AU - L Abdenour
AU - A Matari
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1979
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1979
AB - Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a major indicator of psychological distress and a relevant public health concern among young adults. However, data from North African populations remain limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of NSSI and identify associated factors among young Algerian men, with implications for public health surveillance and prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among a randomly selected sample of 1,013 men aged 19–30 years undergoing mandatory pre-conscription medical examinations. NSSI was identified through systematic clinical examination during full-body physical assessment. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychiatric variables were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Results: The prevalence of NSSI was 4.4% (95% CI: 3.3–5.9), corresponding to 45 identified cases. In multivariable analysis, lower educational level was significantly associated with NSSI (OR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.72–6.41). Tobacco use (OR = 5.66; 95% CI: 1.29–24.76) and alcohol consumption (OR = 6.03; 95% CI: 3.09–11.79) showed strong positive associations. A history of psychiatric disorders was also significantly associated with NSSI (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.03–5.91). The model demonstrated good fit (Hosmer–Lemeshow p = 0.60) and overall statistical significance (p < 0.01). Conclusions: NSSI among young Algerian men represents a relevant but under-recognized public health issue. The observed prevalence is lower than that reported in Europe, the United States, and East Asia, potentially reflecting methodological strengths, particularly direct clinical assessment during mandatory examinations, which reduces underreporting bias. Findings highlight the importance of behavioral risk factors and psychiatric vulnerability, supporting the need for early detection and integrated prevention strategies targeting young adult populations. Key messages: • Population-based studies on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are essential to strengthen epidemiological knowledge and inform evidence-based public health planning and decision-making. • NSSI is strongly associated with modifiable behavioral and psychosocial risk factors, highlighting the need for early identification and targeted preventive interventions in young men.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -