Assessment of Personal and Social Characteristics as Risk Factors in Self-Inflicted Burns

Suicide is among the first 10 causes of mortality and loss of life in Iran. Among the various methods of suicide, self –burning is a fatal injurious and painful problem imposing costs to the individual and society. The aim of this study was to assess the personal and social background and risk factors for self –burning attempts.Subjects and This study is an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional research. Subjects include all burned patients (126 people) admitted in winter 2008 and spring 2009 in Ahvaz Taleghani Burn Center. Data were collected by researcher-made questionnaires, after confirming their validity and reliability. Results showed that 108 women and 18 men attempted for self –burning. Individual and social risk factors in women include: history of depression (64.8%), illiteracy (25%), being married (63%),age range of 15-35 years(88%), residence in rural communities (38%) and being household (89%). Unemployment (50%) and addiction(16.7%) were important risk factors in men. The findings showed that young, illiterate, married and depressed rural housewives who had a low economic status were more at risk for attempted for self –burnings. Therefore, planning on the identification of individuals at risk and preventive actions by competent authorities may reduce the self-inflicted burns.