Validity and reliability test of Sheehan-suicidality tracking scale in Indonesian adult general population

Background: One of the strategies to prevent suicide is to use screening method for suicide risk in the community. The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of Sheehan-Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS) with Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) as the gold standard; thus the scale is expected to be a screening tool for suicide risk in Indonesia. Methods: This was a descriptive-observational study with cross-sectional design on 300 respondents in Surabaya general population in April 2018. Measurement instruments were S-STS and BSSI self-reports.  Results: The average age group of the respondents was 26-35 years. There were 38 respondents (12.67%) positive of suicide risk with BSSI and S-STS with a cut-off >16. All of the items were valid. The sensitivity and specificity of S-STS compared to BSSI for screening tool of suicide risk were 100% and 96.32%, respectively (Area Under Curve = 0.991). Reliability test with Cronbach’s alpha was 0.9802 (95% CI 0.9796-0.9846). Conclusions: S-STS is a valid and reliable instrument for detecting suicidal risk in general population in Surabaya, Indonesia, and there were 9.33% of adult population at risk of suicide.