A survey of characteristics of self-immolation in the northern Iran

Abstract

Background:Suicide is an action deliberately initiated and performed by a person with complete awareness of its fatal outcome, prevalence of which is very rare in developed countries, but it is reported with more frequency in Middle East including Iran.Aim:This study was carried out to analyze the characteristics, mortality, and related factors of burned patients who attempted to suicide by self-immolation in Northern Iran.Materials and Methods:In this retrospective study, the archived files of 101 cases that referred to the main burn care center located in northern Iran (Included: Mazadaran, Golestan cities) - cause of suicide attempting by self-immolation during 2 years 2010-2011, analyzed. A record sheet designed to extract data such as: Age, education, occupation, gender, residence, marital status, drug abuse, and extent of the burn injuries as a percent of burned total body surface area (TBSA).Results:The incidence rate of suicide attempted cases were 1.98/100,000 person-years. The mean ages for cases were 31.8 (13.6). The mean age for males and females were 36.1 (14.8) and 30.1 (12.9) years, respectively. In, about 84% (84/101) of the patient's burned TBSA was more than 40% (41/101). Burn injuries were more frequent, larger, and included higher mortality in females than males. Kerosene was the most common used material to self-burning. The mortality rate was about 74% (74/101), which showed a high mortality rate in this study. Other social factors such as marital status, employment, and education level have a role as individually protective or risk factors for self-burning.Conclusion:Finding of the current study manifested high rate of suicide by self-immolation among young, married, and low educated women in Northern Iran. It implies a social problem, and need to an arrangement of a cultural program aimed to improving health, psychological habits and educational level.

Self-immolation in Iran: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…In the meta-analysis the case fatality rate of self-immolation in Iran was estimated to be 62.1%. Previous studies have reported it as ranging from 50 to 90% [40, 50, 51]. The rate is reported to be 27% in Sri Lanka, 84.95% in Pakistan, and 79% in Eastern Mediterranean Region [44, 47, 52].…”

“…Study of Ramim et al ., (2013) among patients of a burns ward in Tehran, Iran found that 94% of the self-immolation cases had introduced the physical and verbal violence as the cause of their action [57]. Size of the Family, birth order of children, and problems in relation of spouses are the other risk factors [51, 58]. The prevention plans should focus on screening programs for mental problems, increasing the access to psychological consultations, training for communication skills -especially in family environments, and improving the knowledge and ability of the younger population for marriage and marital relations.…”

Socioeconomic Inequality in Self-immolation, between Genders; Oaxaca-Blinder Decomposition, Results of Registration-Based Suicide Data

“…The rate of self-immolation was 2.8 /100,000 people in our study population; near to 42% of the rate of self-immolations was dropped during the study period. In one study by Ahmadi in Northern Iran the rate of self-immolation was reported 1/100,000 in general population [15]. Therefore, the incidence rate of self- immolation suicide was different in Iranian population depends of geographic areas.…”

Epidemiological study of self-immolated patients referring to Velayat burn and reconstructive surgery center of Rasht

“…According to the world health organization, suicide cases will reach from 804000 cases in 2012 to 1530000 cases in 2020 (1,2). Prevalence, methods, and concepts of suicide vary based on geographical location, social and cultural factors, and gender (3). Selfimmolation is one of the most painful and significant methods of suicide and indefinable at the same time which exerts high social effect (4).…”