@article{ref1,
title="The efficacy of community-based intervention in prevention of self-immolation",
journal="Quarterly journal of fundamentals of mental health",
year="2007",
author="Ahmadi, AR",
volume="9",
number="35,36",
pages="97-110",
abstract="Introduction: Suicide by burning oneself is rare in developed countries, but more frequent in developing countries. Based on Iranian official data, 27% to 36% of patients may who committed suicide were via deliberate self-burning. Self-immolation caused up to 37% of all admissions to in Iran burn centers. Approximately 80% of hospitalized self-immolation patients die. All descriptive self-immolation studies in Iran emphasize the need for implementing prevention programs. The Objective of this study was describing the effectiveness of a community based program targeting prevention of self-immolation. Methods and Material: In a Quasi experimental project, the populations of two Iranian cities; Gilangharb (Intervention) and Sarpolzahab (Reference); were participants in this intervention study. Hospital data collection on self-immolation patients and suicide attempts (all mechanisms) was made from March 21 1999 to March 20 2003. The first 12 months of the study provided baseline data, while the last 3 years comprised of a community based intervention, using a mix of passive and active interventions. Videos showing victim stories were an important component in the prevention program. Results: Compared to baseline, the mean self-immolation attempts rate decreased by 57% after the implementation of the intervention in Gilangharb (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, in Gilangharb a 19% decrease of suicide attempts (all mechanisms) was observed while the corresponding reference city rate increased by 24% (n.s.). While the suicide attempt rates were similar in the two populations during baseline, the mean rates observed during the intervention period differed significantly (P&lt;0.001). Conclusions: A community prevention program targeting self-immolation can be effective. Local data and the showing of videos depicting victim stories from self-immolation attempts provided a stimulus for community action.  <p>Language: fa</p>",
language="fa",
issn="1684-4300",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}