Self-Immolation among Women in Iran: A Narrative Review

Context: Selfimmolation is defined as ending life by suicide, particularly through burning, which carries considerable morbidity and mortality. Although its prevalence is low in developed countries, in developing countries, it’s an important problem.[Evidence Acquisition]We systematically searched studies published in international and local databases on selfimmolation in Iran (either in English or Persian) to identify relevant studies from the time of inception of databases to June 2017. Here, we presented the data regarding the prevalence and factors associated with selfimmolation among Iranian women. Results: Sixteen studies were included in this review. In Iran, according to the reports of the forensic organization on deaths by suicide, from 2006 to 2010, 16.4% of the committed suicide were via selfimmolation. It is more common in females than males, particularly among young, married, and low educated women. Selfimmolation is more common in the north and west of Iran. The most prevalent causes of selfimmolation are reported as domestic violence and other stressful events such as family conflicts, intimate relationship breakups, divorce, and financial difficulties. Conclusions: The prevalence of selfimmolation is relatively high among young and middleaged Iranian women. There are sociocultural factors that might contribute to this issue. Preventive measures should be strengthened, particularly for young and middleaged women, to address this problem.