Pattern and Risk Factors for Intentional Drug Overdose in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Intentional drug overdose is a relatively uncommon reason for hospital admission in Saudi Arabia. This study identifies certain risk factors relevant to the Saudi community and raises awareness about intentional drug overdose.

Acute Drug Overdose: Clinical Profile, Etiologic Spectrum and Determinants of Duration of Intensive Medical Treatment

“…Regarding the mode of poisoning, intentional drug overdose is reported to be a relatively uncommon reason for hospital admission in Saudi Arabia. 13 A similar trend, accidental overdose, was seen in our patients as well. But a study from a less affluent Asian nation, Nepal, found that almost all poisoning were due to suicidal attempts.…”

“…The most common agents were the prescribed medications. 13 Interestingly in the Southeast Anatolian region of Turkey, intentional self-poisonings with pesticide was common, especially among young, unmarried females. 14 The primary concerns with overdose are a bit different with each class of drugs.…”

Epidemiology and Treatment of Severe Poisoning in the Intensive Care Unit: Lessons from a One-Year Prospective Observational Study

“…plants, household products) have a significant impact on critical care resources worldwide [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], but the patterns of acute poisoning vary with place and time [16][17]. Previous studies from Iran on severe poisoning requiring ICU treatments have been retrospective and of limited statistical quality [1,32,33].…”

“…The clinical patterns of patients with severe poisoning vary markedly between different study centers [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. In developed countries, the availability of prescription and non-prescription drugs has been associated with a significant increase in patients requiring hospital admission for medical drug overdose [16,17].…”

Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to indicate that family dynamics may mediate or moderate overdose risk. Scientific plausibility of this relationship draws upon empirical studies establishing family environment influences on problem drinking (El-Sheikh & Buckhalt, 2003), drug use (Barrera, Chassin, & Rogosch, 1993) and intentional drug overdose (Al-Jahdali et al, 2004; Al Ansari et al, 2001; Orford, 2005), with or without genetic predisposition for problems (Jacob et al, 2003; Stice, Barrera, & Chassin, 1993). In a companion study conducted in St. Petersburg, we found that recent personal and witnessed overdoses among IDU were associated with family conflict, further suggesting family influence risk context (Grau et al, 2008).…”