Hospitalizations due to poisonings in Slovenia--epidemiological aspects.

INTRODUCTION

Poisonings continue to be an important public health problem. Here we review the incidence and trend of poisoning by medicaments, drugs and biological substances in Slovenia during a five-year period, 2001-2005. We also investigate the etiological and demographic characteristics of poisoning cases in the Slovenian population, based on acute-poisoning admissions to hospitals in Slovenia.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study comprised all cases of poisoning admitted to Slovenian hospitals during a five-year period. Data were obtained from the Annual Health Statistics and from the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia.

RESULTS

Poisonings by medicaments, drugs and biological substances were found to represent more than half (61%) of the poisonings treated in hospitals. Female poisonings were recorded at a higher rate than male poisonings. The majority of cases occurred in the age group 15-49 years but age groups 1-3 years and >65 years were also shown to be at risk. Children under 3 years of age were poisoned by accident, whereas most cases in teenagers and adults were intentional poisonings (attempted suicide); in the oldest age group, rates of intentional and unintentional poisonings were similar. Although there was a significant downward trend in the overall number of cases from 2001 to 2005, the incidence in children aged 1-3 years and in persons >65 years remained the same.

CONCLUSIONS

Poisoning is an important health problem. A multidisciplinary approach is required so that preventive measures may be increased for all groups at risk.