Abstract
BackgroundSuicide by aggressive physical methods such as firearms, hanging, and jumping is well known; however, different factors may influence a person while selecting a particular method. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological factors involved in the selection and use of different physical methods for suicide over a long-term period in Ilam province, Iran.MethodsThe present study was conducted retrospectively between 1993 and 2013 using recorded data from a comprehensive system for registration of suicide attempts in Ilam University of Medical Sciences. The epidemiological characteristics included person, time and place variables, and the outcomes of the suicide attempts. The chi square, univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used for data analysis.ResultsTotally, 1516 suicide attempts were evaluated (the annual incidence rate: 19/100,000 individuals). The most commonly used suicide method in females (88.4%) and males (38.9%) was self-immolation. Furthermore, the annual incidence rate among males and females was within the age group of 15–24 years (24.6 and 47.8/100,000 individuals). The risk of death by suicide in the age group of 55–64 years was 2.93 compared with the age group of 10–14 years (OR = 2.93; 95% CI = 0.64–13.54, P = 0.168).ConclusionThis study revealed that self-immolation was the most selected physical method of suicide and had the highest incidence rate, and inflicted the survivors with severe physical and mental complications. In order to reduce the use of physical methods, especially self-immolation, life skills training becomes more important than ever.
Highlights
Suicide by aggressive physical methods such as firearms, hanging, and jumping is well known; different factors may influence a person while selecting a particular method
The highest annual incidence rate of suicide by physical methods in males and females was observed within the age group of 15–24 years
Gender and suicide The results of the present study revealed that selfimmolation was the most frequent suicide method among women in Ilam province
Summary
Suicide by aggressive physical methods such as firearms, hanging, and jumping is well known; different factors may influence a person while selecting a particular method. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological factors involved in the selection and use of different physical methods for suicide over a long-term period in Ilam province, Iran. Physical methods include jumping from a height, motor vehicle injuries, suicide on train railways, self-immolation, drowning, firearm application, cutting with sharp instruments, choking and hanging [2]. Selfimmolation was rarely attempted in the West [6], but it was used as the second and third common method in India [7,8,9]. Self-immolation was the third common method in Iran [10]. Suicide behaviors and suicide attempts are forbidden in Islam based on religious beliefs [11]
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