A Review of the Trends of Self-Inflicted Burns.

Abstract

During 1979-1998, 7139 patients were admitted to the Birmingham Burns Centre. Of these, 184 patients were identified with self-inflicted burns. There were 115 males and 69 females. The mean age was 37.4 +/- 14.6 years and mean size of burn was 41.1 +/- 31.3% of total body surface area (TBSA). The yearly admissions of these burns appeared to show a decline, while their percentage as compared to burn admission from other causes showed a rise in the trend. Statistically, however, these trends were not different from zero. During the studied period, there were 446 deaths, of which 81 (18%) were due to self-inflicted burns. The mortality in the self-inflicted burn patients was therefore 44%. The average size of burn in those who died was 67% TBSA, while in those who survived was 21% TBSA. The observed mortality when compared with expected mortality, as derived from mortality probability chart, showed that the...

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Investigation of the Demographic Characteristics and Mental Health in Self-Immolation Attempters

Abstract

Background

Self immolation is a heinous way to commit suicide which is mostly prevalent in individuals who attempt to escape a stressful situation and is considered as a strange and unusual method.

Objectives

This study examined demographic characteristics and mental health in self immolation attempters in the city of Bandar Abbas.

Materials and Methods

Two groups are involved in this enquiry. A group of 30 participants who have committed self-immolation and the other consisting of 15 non-committers. To conduct the study, MMPI questionnaire of Minnesota was employed accompanied with demographic information and descriptive statistics as well as independent “t-test”.

Results

The research findings indicate that the self-immolation attempters were mostly among singles, females, low literates or illiterates, and housewives within the age group of 10-30 years old. According to the research there was a significant difference between two groups regarding personality characteristics and records of hypochondriasis, depression, psychopathic deviation,...

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