Geographical epidemiology of common methods of suicide and suicide attempts during the years 2010-2013 in Fars Province, Iran

Received: November 2015, Accepted: February 2016 Background: One of the important aspects of the epidemiologic study of suicide and its related behaviors is the identification of suicide methods. This study aimed to investigate the geographical epidemiology of common methods of suicide and suicide attempts in Fars Province located in Southwestern Iran during the years 2010-2013. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 17,342 suicide and suicide attempt cases in Fars Province. To collect the data, the monthly suicide prevention program checklist was used. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software, R software, and ArcGIS software. Using Bayesian hierarchical models, the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were prepared and calculated according to the common suicide and suicide attempt methods. Results: On average, the suicide rate in Fars Province was 3.85 in one hundred thousand people per year. The geographic pattern of suicide in the mentioned province showed that the highest rates of hanging were reported in the cities of Firuzabad, Farashband, and Larestan, Iran, and the highest rates of self-immolation were reported in cities of Mamasani, Shiraz, and Firuzabad, Iran. Conclusions: Despite the low rate of suicide in the cities of Fars Province, the rate of suicide-related behaviors, including suicide attempt and suicide by violent and deadly methods, was high in some areas of the province. Therefore, restricting access to lethal means and methods of suicide and planning to identify areas with high risk for suicide in the province is necessary.