Epidemiological Survey of Suicide in Fars Province in the south of Iran during 2003 to 2011

Suicide is one of the major social and mental health disorders which is considered as a serious public health problem. This problem has gained special attention in the first and second levels of the health care system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the epidemiology of suicide referred to Legal Medicine Center of Fars province during 2003 to 2011. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1815 cases in Fars province during 2003 to 2011; the subjects were referred to the Legal Medicine Centers of the counties. Data were collected from medical records of the deceased. Data were analyzed using descriptive methods and chi-square test. During the years of study, 1815 suicides occurred in Fars province. Mean and standard deviation of the age of the subjects was 30.37±13.78 years. Most of the suicide cases were among singles with a frequency of 1076 (59.3%), in age groups of 20-29 years with a frequency of 786 (43.3%), and self-employed jobs with a frequency of 809 (44.6%). The most common motivations for suicide were mental illness in 14.3% and family disputes in 13.4% of the cases. The results showed that the main motivation for suicide was psychiatric disorders and family disputes. Hence, attention to the mental condition of the patients and health care from the health authorities is necessary.