Non-Judicial Hanging in Guilan Province, Iran between 2011 and 2013.
BACKGROUND
Hanging is one of the most commonly used way to commit suicide in many countries. This method used in suicide is considered a problem in Iran too, but no clear data exists regarding hanging in different regions or the country as a whole. Because of the epidemiologic differences in non-judicial hanging in different regions, this study aimed to assess it in Gilan province, Iran between 2011 and 2013.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, profiles of hanging cases registered in Poorsina hospital in Gilan, Iran between 2011 and 2013 were evaluated. Age, sex, marital status, place of residency, level of education, occupation, history of suicide, history of clinical illness, season of suicide and hanging outcome were evaluated.


RESULTS
59 cases of hanging (mean age 31.4 ± 13.1 years and 83.0% male) were evaluated. 12 (20.34%) suffered from psychological disorders, and 9 (15.2%) confessed to substance abuse. 7 (11.9%) had a history of suicide attempts by hanging. Hanging was significantly higher in men (p<0.001), people with an education level of less than high school diploma (p=0.02) and the unemployed (p<0.05) patients. In the end, 20 (33.9%) of these attempts resulted in death.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that in 2 years, 59 cases committed suicide by hanging themselves, 33.9% of which finally died. Committing suicide by hanging was significantly more prevalent in men, people with an education level of less than high school diploma and the unemployed.
Road trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Vahid
V
Monsef Kasmaee
Road trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Behzad
B
Zohrevandi
Road trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Payman
P
Asadi
Road trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Negar
N
Shakouri
Suicide; hanging; outcome assessment