Domestic injuries and suicide among women of reproductive age in Iran

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to map out some epidemiological aspects of intentional and unintentional injuries among Iranian women of reproductive age using a national registry. METHODS Injury data were taken from a national-based injury surveillance system over the period 2000-2002. The study population comprised 31.5% of the population of Iran. RESULTS Of all the 307,064 domestic injuries reported during the years 2000-2002, about 152,600 cases (49.7%) involved women. About half of these women (76,474) were in the reproductive age group. The majority (42.7%) of injuries among women of reproductive age were burn wounds followed by lacerations in 32.6%. Eighty-five percent of suicide cases were poisonings, followed by 11% for suicides by burning. However, 45.2% of burn suicides were fatal, compared with a 0.89% fatality rate for poisonings. Of all female suicide victims, 1029 died, 174 victims became disabled, while the remainder improved or were undergoing therapy when reported. CONCLUSION Injuries, especially burns, are a major public health problem for women of reproductive age.