| Prevention of self-immolation by community-based intervention. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17544221 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: To describe the effectiveness of a community-based program targeting prevention of self-immolation. Suicide by burning is rare in developed countries (0.1-1.8% of all suicides), but more frequent in developing countries (up to 41% of all suicides). Self-immolation constitutes from 0.4% to 40% of admissions to burn centers worldwide. During 2001, an average of 11 Iranians committed suicide daily, 4 of these being self-immolations (36%). Self-immolation caused from 4% to 28% of all admissions to Iranian burn centers. Approximately 80% of hospitalized self-immolation patients die. All descriptive self-immolation studies in Iran emphasize the need for implementing prevention programs. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. SETTING: The Iranian cities Gilangharb (intervention) and Sarpolzahab (reference). PARTICIPANTS: The populations of these communities. METHODS: Hospital data collection on self-immolation patients and suicide attempts (all mechanisms) was made from 21 March 1999 to 20 March 2003. The first 12 months of the study provided baseline data, while the last 3 years comprised of a community-based intervention, using a mix of passive and active interventions. Videos showing victim stories were an important component in the prevention program. The interventions were particularly aimed at young women and socio-economically deprived groups, these being shown to be at high risk in earlier studies. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, the mean self-immolation attempts rate decreased by 57% after the implementation of the intervention in Gilangharb (p=0.04, Yates corrected p=0.07). Correspondingly, the reference city rate decreased 27% (n.s.). Moreover, in Gilangharb a 19% decrease of suicide attempts (all mechanisms) was observed while the corresponding reference city rate increased by 24% (n.s.). While the suicide attempt rates were similar in the two populations during baseline, the mean rates observed during the intervention period differed significantly (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A community prevention program targeting self-immolation can be effective. Local data and the showing of videos depicting victim stories from self-immolation attempts provided a stimulus for community action. |
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Authors:
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Alireza Ahmadi; Børge Ytterstad |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Multicenter Study Date: 2007-06-01 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries Volume: 33 ISSN: 0305-4179 ISO Abbreviation: Burns Publication Date: 2007 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-11-12 Completed Date: 2008-05-15 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8913178 Medline TA: Burns Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1032-40 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Research Affaires, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6718818838, Iran. ahmadiar1012@yahoo.com |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adolescent Adult Attitude to Health Burns / prevention & control*, psychology Child Community Health Services / methods* Female Health Promotion / methods Humans Iran / epidemiology Male Middle Aged Program Evaluation Risk Factors Sex Factors Suicide / prevention & control* Suicide, Attempted / psychology, statistics & numerical data Video Recording |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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