Ethics code: IR.ACECR.IBCRC.REC.1400.019
Ali Asghar Haeri-Mehrizi *1 
, Afsoon Aeenparast1 , Hoda Tafazzoli Harandi1 , Hosein Nabaee2 , Faranak Farzadi1 , Fateme Riazi1
, Afsoon Aeenparast1 , Hoda Tafazzoli Harandi1 , Hosein Nabaee2 , Faranak Farzadi1 , Fateme Riazi1
1- Health Metrics Research Center, Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
2- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
2- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (26 Views)
Objective(s): The COVID-19 pandemic has had a prolonged impact on mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, its effect on suicide trends remains diverse. This study aimed to examine suicide rates in Iran before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Using data from the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization (ILMO), suicide trends were analyzed from March 2010 to March 2021. Key predictive variables, including age and gender, were extracted from the ILMO database. Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was employed to assess the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and monthly suicide rates.
Results: A total of 50,174 cases of intentional suicide were recorded. The mean (SD) age of individuals who died by suicide was 34.1 (15.1) years, with males accounting for 71% of the cases. The change in trend and slope of suicide rates before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was not statistically significant (p = 0.931).
Conclusion: Although the overall suicide trend in Iran is increasing, national crises may further exacerbate this issue. Therefore, raising awareness about mental health and implementing suicide prevention strategies during epidemics and other crises can play a crucial role in reducing psychological distress and suicide rates.
Methods: Using data from the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization (ILMO), suicide trends were analyzed from March 2010 to March 2021. Key predictive variables, including age and gender, were extracted from the ILMO database. Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was employed to assess the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and monthly suicide rates.
Results: A total of 50,174 cases of intentional suicide were recorded. The mean (SD) age of individuals who died by suicide was 34.1 (15.1) years, with males accounting for 71% of the cases. The change in trend and slope of suicide rates before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was not statistically significant (p = 0.931).
Conclusion: Although the overall suicide trend in Iran is increasing, national crises may further exacerbate this issue. Therefore, raising awareness about mental health and implementing suicide prevention strategies during epidemics and other crises can play a crucial role in reducing psychological distress and suicide rates.
type of study: Descriptive |
Subject:
Epidemiologhy
Received: 2023/05/27 | Accepted: 2025/10/15 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/11/8
Received: 2023/05/27 | Accepted: 2025/10/15 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/11/8
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