Journal article
Self-immolation in Iran
Journal of burn care & research, Vol.29(3), pp.451-460
05/01/2008
DOI: 10.1097/BCR.0b013e31817112f1
PMID: 18388564
Abstract
Deliberate self-inflicted burn is rare in high-income countries, but is reported more frequently in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Asia and Africa. Rates in Iran are among the highest in the world, with up to 71% of committed suicides conducted via self-immolation in some regions. The objective of this study was to identify the epidemiologic features and factors of self-immolation in Iran to aid in development of effective intervention programs. In a review study, two national databases were analyzed to identify demographic, geographic, cultural, economic, and health-related aspects of self-immolation that may vary across regions of Iran. Demographic information revealed that 27% of suicide cases in Iran were via self-immolation. Of those, 71% were female. The mean age was 29 years. Geographical features of self-immolation indicated that the self-immolation rate was higher in rural areas and in provinces that border the country. Provinces that were involved more intensively in postwar problems feature higher rates of self-immolation. People of Kurdish ethnicity were more likely to engage in self-immolation. Unemployment was a risk factor for self-immolation, while mental disorders and lack of access to health and treatment facilities did not play an important role for increasing the rate of self-immolation. Overall, this study demonstrates that self-immolation is a significant public health problem in some parts of Iran. This study clearly and consistently shows that self-immolation is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes. Various intervention options are discussed to increase coping skills on the individual and community levels.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Self-immolation in Iran
- Creators
- Alireza Ahmadi - Kermanshah University of Medical SciencesReza Mohammadi - Karolinska InstitutetDespina Stavrinos - University of Alabama at BirminghamAfshin Almasi - Kermanshah University of Medical SciencesDavid C. Schwebel - University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of burn care & research, Vol.29(3), pp.451-460
- DOI
- 10.1097/BCR.0b013e31817112f1
- PMID
- 18388564
- NLM abbreviation
- J Burn Care Res
- ISSN
- 1559-047X
- eISSN
- 1559-0488
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Number of pages
- 10
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2008
- Academic Unit
- Research Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984949454002771
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