Poisoning profile in adolescents by harmful substances in the Northeast of Brazil from 2015 to 2021

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the profile of intoxication and mortality from those in the adolescent population of the Northeastern Region of Brazil. Methods: This is an ecological time series study, using data from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). The study population included individuals from ages 10-19, victims of poisoning, present at International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), related with codes X40-X49 and X60-X69 (poisoning [accidental poisoning] by exposure to harmful substance), residents of the Northeast from January 2015 to December 2021. Results: This study demonstrates that the peak of poisonings occurred in 2019 (incidence 2.59). The substance with most accidental intoxications (n=105, 31%) was poisoning by other drugs and medicines, medicines and unspecified biological substances (CID10-X64), highlighting the state of Bahia (n=67, 66%). In intentional intoxications and poisonings, the highest number of hospitalizations (n=302, 47%), mainly among 15-19 years of age, were due to use of medicines and biological substances (ICD10-X64), being led by Bahia with 117 hospitalizations and RF=0.43. Among accidental intoxications, poisoning by exposure to narcotics and psychodysleptics (ICD10-X42), in the age range of 15-19 years, Pernambuco stood out (5 deaths and RF 0.6). In intentional poisoning deaths, the highest number (n=100,47%) came from pesticide poisoning (ICD10-X68). Conclusion: This study allowed us to verify the substances with the highest incidence of intoxication among adolescents in the Northeast of Brazil, and to verify the highest number of intentional cases and, therefore, the risk of suicide attempts. Thus, it provides relevant information for future studies and encourages greater health care for this group