Review of Factors Resulting in Self Burning in Burning Ward of EM.am Khomeini Hospital in Urmia University of Medical Sciences, 1380

Suicide may be defined as a request for help. Those who commit suicide may regard it as a way for getting rid of terrors of life but it more likely refers to lack of self esteem in challenge of socioeconomic and cultural appositions. As a matter of fact, self burning involves the worst procedure of committing suicide.

Methods & Materials: 72 self burning and hospitalized women, who referred to burning ward, were studied in Imarn Khomeini hospital of Urmia/lran in 1380 A.H. Questionnaires that were used for data collection consisted of 2 parts: 8 questions about demographic and 9 about suicidal factors. Descriptive statistical methods were used for showing the data profile.

Results: The results showed that 58.33% of cases were 14‑23 years old, 55.55% of them were illiterate, 75% married, 69.44% of rural areas, and 98% were not economically independent. The burning material was petroleum (oil) in 90.27% 54.16% had burning more than 68%, and from this number 77.77% of them died but 22.22% did not have a successful suicide.

Conclusion: The main reasons for committing suicide were likely to be marriage problems such as unwanted and compulsory marriage. It is fairly certain that socioeconomic and cultural situation and also sanctioned sexual relations were effective factors. It is now generally recognized that both governmental and private sectors must improve the knowledge and attitude of women to prevent suicide. It is also possible to inform rural women by broadcasting programs on TV, radio, or rural health centers.