Self-immolation in the Arab world: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychiatry
• Sociology

Background:

• Self-immolation events have notably increased in the Arab world post-2011 Arab Spring.
• Understanding the characteristics and patterns of self-immolation is crucial for targeted interventions.

Approach:

• A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Searched multiple databases (PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, Scopus) up to July 2022.
• Included 31 articles (27 quantitative, 4 qualitative) from seven Arab countries, synthesizing findings through narrative analysis.

Key Points:

• Self-immolators were predominantly married women with low education and socioeconomic status.
• Incidents often occurred at home, frequently linked to marital conflicts, with kerosene as the common accelerant.
• Depression was the most frequent comorbid mental health diagnosis, and self-immolation is increasingly used as a form of protest.

Conclusions:

• Self-immolation is a significant public health concern in the Arab world.
• There is a need for specific interventions targeting at-risk populations.
• Further research should explore the socio-political drivers and effective prevention strategies.