Epidemiological analysis of self-harm and suicide attempts in Iran: a cross-sectional study in Kurdistan’s emergency hospitals
Dublin Core
Title
Epidemiological analysis of self-harm and suicide attempts in Iran: a cross-sectional study in Kurdistan’s emergency hospitals
Subject
Suicide, Self-harm, Epidemiology, Public health, Risk factors, Mental health
Description
Abstract
Background Self-harm and suicide are major global public health issues, especially in low- and middle-income
nations. Finding trends and risk factors is essential to creating successful solutions. The purpose of this study was to
look into the risk factors and epidemiological characteristics of self-harm and suicide attempts among patients who
were hospitalized to the emergency rooms at Kurdistan hospitals in 2021–2022.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 604 cases of self-harm and suicide attempts. Data were
extracted from medical records, including demographic, clinical, and social variables. Statistical analysis was
performed using SPSS (version 24), employing chi-square tests to determine associations between variables and
outcomes.
Results The majority of patients (48.8%) were male, and the most affected age group was 17–40 years. Recovery or
fatality outcomes were significantly associated with gender (p<0.05), age group (p<0.01), and method of self-harm
(p<0.001). Drug overdose (71%) was the most common method, with a recovery rate of 88% (p<0.01), while hanging
had the highest fatality rate at 40% (p<0.001). Among the cases, 83.6% were discharged after treatment, while 16.4%
resulted in death due to suicide attempts.
Conclusion The study identifies important clinical and demographic trends linked to suicide attempts and self-harm.
Young adults, people with long-term medical or mental health issues, and those who are struggling financially should
all be the focus of preventive programs. To lower the suicide rate, public health initiatives must give mental health
services and community awareness campaigns first priority.
Keywords Suicide, Self-harm, Epidemiology, Public health, Risk factors, Mental health
Background Self-harm and suicide are major global public health issues, especially in low- and middle-income
nations. Finding trends and risk factors is essential to creating successful solutions. The purpose of this study was to
look into the risk factors and epidemiological characteristics of self-harm and suicide attempts among patients who
were hospitalized to the emergency rooms at Kurdistan hospitals in 2021–2022.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 604 cases of self-harm and suicide attempts. Data were
extracted from medical records, including demographic, clinical, and social variables. Statistical analysis was
performed using SPSS (version 24), employing chi-square tests to determine associations between variables and
outcomes.
Results The majority of patients (48.8%) were male, and the most affected age group was 17–40 years. Recovery or
fatality outcomes were significantly associated with gender (p<0.05), age group (p<0.01), and method of self-harm
(p<0.001). Drug overdose (71%) was the most common method, with a recovery rate of 88% (p<0.01), while hanging
had the highest fatality rate at 40% (p<0.001). Among the cases, 83.6% were discharged after treatment, while 16.4%
resulted in death due to suicide attempts.
Conclusion The study identifies important clinical and demographic trends linked to suicide attempts and self-harm.
Young adults, people with long-term medical or mental health issues, and those who are struggling financially should
all be the focus of preventive programs. To lower the suicide rate, public health initiatives must give mental health
services and community awareness campaigns first priority.
Keywords Suicide, Self-harm, Epidemiology, Public health, Risk factors, Mental health
Creator
Armin Saedi1
, Bakhtiar Piroozi1
, Ghobad Moradi1
, Media Babahajiani2
, Kourosh akhbari3
and Leila Azizkhani3,4*
, Bakhtiar Piroozi1
, Ghobad Moradi1
, Media Babahajiani2
, Kourosh akhbari3
and Leila Azizkhani3,4*
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00913-4
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Armin Saedi1
, Bakhtiar Piroozi1
, Ghobad Moradi1
, Media Babahajiani2
, Kourosh akhbari3
and Leila Azizkhani3,4*, “Epidemiological analysis of self-harm and suicide attempts in Iran: a cross-sectional study in Kurdistan’s emergency hospitals,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12823.