High incidence of suicide by burning in Masjid-i-Sulaiman (southwest of Iran), a polluted area with natural sour gas leakage

Abstract

Masjid-i-Sulaiman (MIS) is located in the southwest of Iran. Unfortunately, some parts of MIS are contaminated by subsurface leakage of natural gas containing H 2S. In order to investigate the possible effect(s) of chronic exposure to sulfur compounds on suicidal behavior, the present study was done. In the 2-year period, 561 individuals attempted suicide (260 men and 301 women). Completed suicide comprised of 19 men and 32 women. The rate per 100,000 person-years was 19.9 for men and 34.8 for women aged over 15 years. Forty-two (13 men and 29 women) of 561 patients were self-immolators by fire with a male:female ratio 0.45. This represents 22.4 burns per 100,000 person-years and is equivalent to 7.4% of all suicide attempts. Thirty-three of 42 patients died (78.6%) who were 9 men and 24 women with male:female ratio 0.37. There is statistically significant differences between sex groups (P (2) = 0.0091). The self-inflicted burn was the most frequent method for lethal suicide. Winter was the most common season for self-burning followed by spring. Statistical analysis showed significant difference between seasons for self-inflicted burn (P (2) = 0.00001). Analysis of correlation showed statistically positive correlation coefficient between mean values of all reactive sulfur compounds and seasonal frequency of suicide (r = 0.923, P (1) = 0.038). © 2004 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.