Suicide and Associated Risk Factors in Hamadan Province, West of Iran, in 2008 and 2009

Background: Hamadan is a province with high incidence rate of suicide. The present study was conducted to assess suicide and its associated risk factors in this province. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all cases of suicide occurred in the province, were investigated from April 2008 to March 2010. The data were collected from Provincial Health Center and Forensic Medicine's databases using a checklist developed according to the available records. Results: A number of 5414 suicide attempts had occurred (with 8.4% deaths) including 2753 women (with 3.4% death) and 2660 men (with 13.7% death). Majority of the suicide attempts and completed suicides occurred among adults aged 20-29 years. About 6.7% of the cases who attempted for suicide and 14.2% of the cases who died from suicide had a previous history of suicide attempt (P<0.001). Familial problems (49.7%) and psychiatric disorders (31.6%) were among the most common reasons of suicide attempt. Using drugs (74.0%) were the most common method of attempting suicide while hanging (83.6%), burning (74.2%), and gunshot (52.4%) were the most common leading causes of completed suicide (P<0.001). Adjusted odds ratio estimate of completed suicide in males against females was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.63, 3.14). The odds of completed suicide increased 1.43 (95% CI: 1.30, 1.57) fold per 10 years of age. Conclusion: This survey identified and highlighted the most common and important potential risk factors for suicide. In addition, the effects of various demographic risk factors on suicide attempt and completed suicide were examined. These evidences may be useful for future research, policy, and treatment efforts aimed at understanding and preventing suicide.