Epidemiological, substance use profile and psychological outcomes in methanol intoxicated patients

Abstract

Introduction The use of psychoactive substances (PAS) is nowadays a priority in the field of psychiatric research. It is a public health problem linked to dependence and mental health disorders in term of causality and co morbidity. Methodology In order to better understand the phenomenon of PAS consumption among young adults, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among patients who presented an acute collective intoxication with methanol-based cologne in May 2020 in Hajeb El Ayoun in the governorate of Kairouan, Tunisia. Results Patients had a particular epidemiological status in terms of numerous criteria. PAS addiction prevalence was among the majority of participants including alcohol, cannabis and drugs (respectively 86%, 69.8%, 46.5%). Also, depression and anxiety evaluation rates were high (more than 79% for definite symptomatology). Furthermore, we found a statistically significant association between anxiety and alcohol dependence (p=0.032), also between depression and addiction to a medication or a drug (p=0.017). Conclusion It is essential to set up strategies of prevention of the consumption of PAS in order to avoid its harmful consequences. Moreover, Determining factors associated with this addiction could allow to pay attention to the vulnerable subjects to make the screening much easier and more accessible to prevent the occurence of mental disorders such anxiety and depression.