Open AccessTOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE AND BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT OF SUICIDE VICTIMS IN THE FAR WEST OF SANTA CATARINA
Author(s) -
Eduardo Ottobelli Chielle,
Fagner Genz,
Abel Petter
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
archives in biosciences and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2674-6832
DOI - 10.18593/abh.20277
Subject(s) - medicine , suicide methods , suicide prevention , psychiatry , poison control , injury prevention , epidemiology , occupational safety and health , blood alcohol content , human factors and ergonomics , medical emergency , environmental health , blood alcohol , suicide rates , pathology
Suicide has been a subject of increasing concern and the toxicological and blood alcohol investigate in these victims is little studied. This study investigated the toxicological and blood alcohol profile of suicide victims in 27 municipalities in the extreme west of Santa Catarina. Aggregate time series study, with a survey of epidemiological data and analysis of expert reports by the Medical Legal Institute of all fatal victims of suicide, registered in the period between 2012 to 2016. Results: Males, aged 50-59 years, were the main victims and the hanging the main suicide method. The months of February and November, Sundays and the time of 08:00 to 11:59 were the moments of greater occurrences. Elevated levels of alcohol were observed in 23.97% of the victims and the main drugs found were benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants. The results obtained in this study reinforce the concern regarding cases of suicide and an association between alcohol/drug use and suicidal practices. The data provide subsidies for elaboration and implementation of preventive actions. Professionals should be alert to signs of suicide, so that specialized help becomes a possible option, and is instrumental in reducing the number of suicides.