Meta-Analysis of Self-Immolation in Iran

Background: Self-immolation is one of the most violent methods of dying and is considered as a psychosocial problem. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of self-immolation in Iran using systematic and meta-analyzing methods.Materials and methods: Seven papers published from 1999 to 2016 are selected using valid keywords in the SID, Goggle scholar, PubMed and Elsevier databases. Results of studies pooled using random effects model in meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of the sample was checked using Q test and I2 index.Results: Total combined sample size of 3962 (233 sample per article). The firs device for self-immolation was rock oil with 83 %( 95%CI: 0.70- 0.96) and the last was Gasoline with 05 %( 95% CI: 0-0.09). Percentage of self-immolation among men was 51 %( 95% CI: 037-0.65). The frequency of self-immolation was 26 %( 95% CI: 0.19- 0.34) in spring, 19 %( 95%CI 0.13- 0.25) in summer, 18 %( 95% CI: 0.15- 0.22) autumn and 25 %( 95% CI: 0.17- 0.34) in winter.Conclusions: In order to reduce self-immolation, it is recommended that restrict access people at risk to rock oil.