title: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Affairs, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Affairs, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ranjbaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azadbakht
authors.affiliation: Education and Development Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Ma
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heidari Gorji
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran ; Department of Traditionaland Complementary Medicine Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Am
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heidari Gorji
keywords: Iran; Northern Iran; Self-immolation; Suicide