The Rate, Trends, and Lethality of Common ViolentSuicide Attempt Methods in Iran, a SystematicReview and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to determine frequency, trend, and lethality of common methods of suicide in Iran throughliterature in relevant studies by meta-analysis. We searched MeSH heading suicide and/or keyword combinations in publishedarticles in English major databases (PubMed, Scopus, and ISI) and Persian databases (Magiran, Medlib, SID, and Iran Medex).Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we enrolled 47 relevant studies for the final analysis. The data were analyzedbased on a random-effects model using Stata11.2. We found that hanging had the highest lethality among suicide methods;so that hanging with 14.9% (95% CI: 12.6, 17.3) and followed by self-immolation with 11.8% (95% CI: 10.2, 13.3) lethalitywere the common lethal methods. Results showed a decreasing trend in the rate of using lethal methods (β=−0.02, 95% CI:−0.005–0.05), (p=0.017) across the study period. Our results approve this assumption that the rate of using lethal methodsfor suicide is decreasing in recent years in Iran, perhaps opposite to non-violent methods. This is an important finding thatinvestigators should be assessed it in forward studies to clarify the possible causes.