A Narrative Review on Epidemiology of Self-Immolation

Self-immolation is considered to be one of the most violent methods of suicide, which has not yet thoroughly been recognized. Scientific studies are needed to understand the ethnic, social, and cultural root causes of this phenomenon. Therefore, the present narrative review article is explaining the epidemiology of self-immolation based on the existing knowledge.
Evidence suggests that self-immolation is rarely used within developed countries but increasingly applied especially by deprived and uneducated women within some parts of Asia including India, Seri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. In those countries which self-immolation is common, it is necessary for the comprehensive prevention programs to be designed and conducted.