Deliberate self-harm by means of kerosene fire by women in Papua New Guinea.

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the psychosocial and sociodemographic factors relating to 10 females admitted to the Burns Unit of the Port Moresby General Hospital with a common diagnosis of deliberate self-inflicted burns by kerosene fire. All 10 patients were admitted during the first six months of 1990 and all originated from Gulf Province. 6 of the 10 patients died despite intensive, standard surgical management. Discussion of the results centres around the possible causes of the sudden increase in the number of patients presenting with burns caused by self-inflicted kerosene fire. Recommendations are made for some preventive measures.