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.