The estimation of survival and associated factors in self-immolation attempters in Ilam province of Iran (2011-2015)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Self-immolation is the most common method of suicide in Ilam province. AIM: This study aimed to estimate the survival rate in self-immolation attempters in Ilam and identify the associated factors. METHODS: A descriptive-analytic study was conducted based on data collected at Taleghani Hospital in Ilam, Iran. All persons passed away due to self-immolation or those hospitalised in the centre of the self-burned patients located in Ilam during 2011 to 2015 were assessed. Survival rate was calculated based on Kaplan-Meier. To compare the survival rate between groups, Univariate Log Rank and for multivariate analysis, the Cox test of STATA12 software was used. RESULTS: During 2011 to 2015, 236 persons including 168 females and 69 males committed self-immolation. The mean and median of survival time in attempters were 32.2 ± 4.7 and 3 ± 0.33 days, respectively. In Univariate Log-Rank test, the following variables including age, sex, burn degree, Total Body Surface Area (TBSA), and burns in neck and head and lower limbs had a significantly meaningful relation with survival, while in multivariate Cox Regression test only two variables including Total Body Surface Area and age remained in the model. CONCLUSION: The mean and median survival rate in self-attempters are very low. Quickly hospitalisation without waste of time should be considered. Providing prompt treatments and compensating dehydration in early hours especially within the first 24 hours of self-immolation are very vital. Younger persons and those with lower burn surface have more chance for longer survival and recuperation.