Incidence, Distribution, and Determinants of Suicide by Self-Poisoning in two Egyptian Provinces

Objectives: Suicide by self-poisoning is a serious public health problem that accounts for global morbidities and mortalities. This work aims to study the incidence, trend, and determinants of suicide by self-poisoning in two Egyptian provinces. Methods: The current study is a bi-designed two-phases observational study carried out in two Egyptian poison control centers including Menoufia Poison Control Center (MPCC) and Tanta Poison Control Center (TPCC). A total of 7,802 patients were enrolled. The first phase of the current study was conducted retrospectively to show the trend of suicide attempts over 2016, 2017, and 2018 when the cases diagnosed as suicide by self-poisoning were extracted from medical record. The second part was conducted prospectively (January 2019-Januaray 2020) among cases of suicide by self-poisoning and accidental poisoning. Results: The current study revealed that incidence of poisoning exposure no matter what its type represented 34.99/100,000 (CI95%: 33.84–36.20) distributed as 28.18/100,000 (CI95%: 27.14–29.26) for suicide by self-poisoning and 6.82/100,000 (6.32–7.36) for accidental poisoning. The suicide by self-poisoning death rate represented 2.08/100,000 (1.90–2.49). The suicide by self-poisoning was significantly associated with young age <25years, low socioeconomic status, being a student or not working. Conclusion: Suicide by self-poisoning shows a continuous increase across time raising a serious concern. Collaborative Efforts are required by to conduct health education and enforce legislation to overcome this serious condition. Keywords: Aluminum phosphide; Egypt; pesticides; self-poisoning; suicide

Psychiatric comorbidities among a sample of suicidal adolescents presenting to poison control center, Ain shams university

Background Suicide is a major cause of death all over the world with increasing risk especially in adolescents. Multiple studies have been conducted to study the risk factors and the underlying causes that lead to suicide. However, there is scarcity of data regarding suicide in adolescents. As it’s well known that most of psychiatric illnesses can be complicated with suicide especially those related to personality and substance use disorders. For Egypt, adolescents represent almost one third of the total population, hence the importance of studying the risk factors and associated psychiatric comorbidities that may lead to adolescence suicide in order to reach proper intervention plans. One of the most powerful double-sided weapons in that matter is the internet and social media use, as there has been a debate around whether it’s beneficial in seeking professional help or harmful as it may introduce methods of suicide and block any means of getting help Hence, was the hope of this study to provide an understanding of the prevalence of suicide among adolescents and the underlying psychiatric comorbidities to reach proper intervention and prevention plans. Aim of the Work This study aimed at detecting the occurrence rate of suicide and suicide related behaviors and the underlying psychiatric comorbidities among a sample of 241 suicidal adolescents aged 12-18 presenting to poison control center, Ain Shams University and also To identify factors which are associated with high suicidal intent And compare the sociodemographic variables and the increase in electronic device /social use among adolescents with suicidal attempts versus non-suicidal adolescents. Patients and Methods This is a descriptive Cross-sectional study hospital-based study conducted in poison control center of Ain Shams University hospital. The present study aimed at detecting the occurrence rate of suicide among 241 adolescents, over six months period from February 2019 to July 2019. The socioeconomic status was assessed using Socioeconomic status scale (SES), the suicide intent was assessed using the beck suicide intent scale and the psychiatric comorbidities were assessed using the MINI International Neuropsychiatry Interview for children and adolescents kid scale