Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023
Introduction and Purpose: Drug poisoning among children and adolescents is an increasing public health issue worldwide and in Poland. Intentional poisonings, especially suicide attempts, are on the rise, often involving over-the-counter (OTC) medications, with paracetamol being the most commonly us...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kazimierz Wielki University
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57622 |
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| _version_ | 1823856542150033408 |
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| author | Maria Kubicka Paulina Polańska Marta Gruszka Martyna Zakrocka |
| author_facet | Maria Kubicka Paulina Polańska Marta Gruszka Martyna Zakrocka |
| author_sort | Maria Kubicka |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction and Purpose: Drug poisoning among children and adolescents is an increasing public health issue worldwide and in Poland. Intentional poisonings, especially suicide attempts, are on the rise, often involving over-the-counter (OTC) medications, with paracetamol being the most commonly used substance. This paper aims to analyze the prevalence, characteristics, and implications of drug poisonings in youth, focusing on social and mental health factors, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and Methods: The study is based on retrospective data collected from Polish cities published between 2014 and 2023, examining hospital admissions, demographic trends, and poisoning agents.
Results: The study reveals a significant increase in suicide attempts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paracetamol poisoning remains the leading cause of intentional overdoses, with severe cases potentially resulting in acute liver failure or death if untreated. Girls account for a disproportionate number of cases, and many adolescents who attempt suicide lack prior psychiatric diagnoses. Seasonal trends and shifts in age demographics suggest changing patterns in poisoning incidents.
Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for improved mental health education, early intervention, and caregiver awareness. Strengthening psychological support and implementing stricter regulation of OTC drugs are crucial to addressing the root causes of youth suicide attempts. Proactive measures, such as teaching problem-solving skills and expanding access to mental health services, are essential to mitigating this growing public health challenge.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e916b410438b49509262398b0e5b620c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2391-8306 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Kazimierz Wielki University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-e916b410438b49509262398b0e5b620c2025-02-12T08:17:50ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-02-017810.12775/JEHS.2025.78.57622Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023Maria Kubicka0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6913-9914Paulina Polańskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-2365-7977Marta Gruszka1https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0775-3451Martyna Zakrocka2https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5091-5919Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże L. Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, PolandMilitary Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Weigla 5, 53-114 Wrocław, PolandLower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland Introduction and Purpose: Drug poisoning among children and adolescents is an increasing public health issue worldwide and in Poland. Intentional poisonings, especially suicide attempts, are on the rise, often involving over-the-counter (OTC) medications, with paracetamol being the most commonly used substance. This paper aims to analyze the prevalence, characteristics, and implications of drug poisonings in youth, focusing on social and mental health factors, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study is based on retrospective data collected from Polish cities published between 2014 and 2023, examining hospital admissions, demographic trends, and poisoning agents. Results: The study reveals a significant increase in suicide attempts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paracetamol poisoning remains the leading cause of intentional overdoses, with severe cases potentially resulting in acute liver failure or death if untreated. Girls account for a disproportionate number of cases, and many adolescents who attempt suicide lack prior psychiatric diagnoses. Seasonal trends and shifts in age demographics suggest changing patterns in poisoning incidents. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for improved mental health education, early intervention, and caregiver awareness. Strengthening psychological support and implementing stricter regulation of OTC drugs are crucial to addressing the root causes of youth suicide attempts. Proactive measures, such as teaching problem-solving skills and expanding access to mental health services, are essential to mitigating this growing public health challenge. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57622suicide attemptparacetamolpoisoning |
| spellingShingle | Maria Kubicka Paulina Polańska Marta Gruszka Martyna Zakrocka Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023 Journal of Education, Health and Sport suicide attempt paracetamol poisoning |
| title | Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023 |
| title_full | Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023 |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023 |
| title_short | Analysis of poisoning with OTC drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in Poland in the period 2012 - 2023 |
| title_sort | analysis of poisoning with otc drugs for suicidal purposes among children and adolescents in poland in the period 2012 2023 |
| topic | suicide attempt paracetamol poisoning |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57622 |
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