Suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation and patterns among youths in Anywaa zone, Gambella, Southwest Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study

Patterns, Clinical Outcome, and Factors Associated with Poisoning Outcomes among Poisoned Patients in Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction

Poison is a substance that can hurt or cause dysfunction in the body due to its chemical action. Poisoning related to pesticides used in agriculture is a major public health issue in developing countries. However, there is a limited epidemiological data on poisoning in Ethiopia.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine poisoning patterns, clinical outcome, and factors associated with poisoned patients in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2021 to include data of 1 year period. Data of all poisoned patients were collected using a standardized checklist from the registration book and patient medical records. The association between variables and outcomes was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered to declare a statistically significant association.

Result

Over one-third of the poisoning cases (35.9%) were seen in the spring, according to a survey of 315 patient medical data. The majority of patients were in the age group of 21-30 years (44.1%). The most common form of poison consumed was organophosphate (OP), which accounts for 61.3% of all visits, and the least common was food poisoning, which accounts for 1.9%. About 82.5% of poisoning cases survived, while the remaining 17.5% were died. Time of arrival to the hospital ≥1 h (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.02; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 11.40), lack of oxygen support (AOR = 6.64; 95% CI: 3.56-6.78), and lack of adrenaline/dopamine medication (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 1.17-5.78) were all substantially linked with death of poisoned cases.

Conclusions

Three-fourth of poisoning cases survived, while the remaining one-fourth died. Ingestion of OPs is the most prevalent type of poisoning, and most cases are intentional. Delayed arrival ≥1 h, lack of oxygen support, and adrenaline/dopamine treatment were all linked to death. On-time arrival, oxygen assistance, and adrenaline/dopamine treatment in a healthcare setting are all recommended.

Suicidal behaviors and associated factors among patients attending an emergency department: a facility-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Emergency departments (ED) are an important site for screening patients with suicidal behaviors. However, there is insufficient data in low-and middle-income countries regarding the magnitude of suicidal attempts among patients attending EDs. Therefore, the present study aimed to screen suicidal behavior and factors associated with suicide in patients attending an ED of Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency and Trauma Hospital, Ethiopia.

METHOD

A facility-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2018. A total of 398 participants were recruited using a consecutive sampling technique. The collected data collected includes structured questionnaires containing sociodemographic determinants, chronic medical illness conditions, substance use characteristics, social support level, common mental disorders (CMD) screening, suicidal behaviors assessment and suicidal attempts reason and method.

RESULTS

The prevalence of suicidal behavior and suicidal attempts were 8% and 6.3%, respectively. Suicide was attempted most frequently in the 18-24 age group. There was no overall difference in sex distribution for suicidal attempts. However, there were sex-based differences when the age group was taken into consideration. The commonest underlying reason for the attempt was social reasons (44%), while the most frequently reported attempt method was hanging (36%). No single factor was found to be significantly associated with the suicidal attempt.

CONCLUSION

Although suicidal behaviors are more common in patients attending the ED than in the general population, these facts have previously got little attention in patient attending EDs in low and middle income countries. The present findings support the need for a more detailed assessment of suicidal behaviours in patients attending ED and in patients with CMD.