| کلمات کلیدی | (1357) Prevention Of Self-Immolation In A Community By Video-Based Intervention
Ahmadi, A
Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Iran
Co-authors
Ytterstad, Børge
Khazaie, Habiballah
Rezaei, Mansour
PROBLEM
Suicide by burning oneself is rare in developed countries (0,06%-1,8% of all suicides) but more frequent in developing countries (39,8%-40,3% of all suicides). Self-immolation constitutes from 0,4 to 40% of admissions to burn centres worldwide. 36,4% of Iranians who committed suicide did so by self-immolation. In our burn centre, 64,2% of hospitalised patients over the past five years were there due to self-immolation.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the long-term effectiveness of a community-based programme targeting prevention of self-immolation and suicide attempts.
METHOD
Design - Quasiexperimental
Setting -The Iranian cities Gilangharb (main intervention) and Sarpolzahab (reference)
Participants - The populations of these communities
Methods - Data collection on suicide attempt and self-immolation attempt patients (as a part of suicide attempts) started 21 March 1999 to 20 March 2003. The first 12 months of study provided baseline data, while the last three years involved community-based intervention, using a mix of passive and active interventions. Videos showing victim stories were an important component in the prevention programme.
RESULTS
Compared to baseline, the mean self-immolation attempts rate decreased by 57% after the implementation of the intervention in Gilangharb (P=0,04, Yates corrected P=0,07) (significant). Correspondingly, the reference city rate decreased 27 % (n.s.). Moreover, in Gilangharb an effect on suicide attempts was observed, however not significantly. The mean suicide attempt rate decreased by 19 % post-intervention (n.s.). The corresponding reference city rate increased 24 % (n.s.)
CONCLUSION
A video-based community prevention programme targeting self-immolation attempts can be effective. Local data on victims and victim stories from self-immolation attempts and suicide attempts provided the stimulus for community action.
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