Iran: "The rate of suicide attempt was 65.8 per 100,000 people."

Arch Suicide Res. 2013;17(4):416-25. doi: 10.1080/13811118.2013.803445.

National registration system of suicide behaviors in Iran: barriers and challenges.

Hajebi A, Ahmadzad-Asl M, Ershadi M, Nikfarjam A, Davoudi F.

Source

a Mental Health Research Centre , Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.

Abstract

The present article describes the process of developing a national suicide registry in Iran and evaluates the obstacles in this respect. We established a systematic and uniform portal data collection system in the country and evaluated it from March 2009 for a year. The quality of database and data registration challenges were assessed from different aspects. A total number of 41,109 suicide attempts and 1,338 completed suicides were reported from an area that covered 83.6% of Iran's population in 2009. The rate of suicide attempt was 65.8 per 100,000 people. This study revealed some of the obstacles and challenges of implementing a national registration system. Nationwide suicide registry can serve as a solid foundation for conceptual work, data collection, and preventive interventions. A concerted effort between various organizations is required to efficiently collect data on suicide behaviors.