Social and economic variables related with Paraquat self-poisoning: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Paraquat self-poisonings constitute a significant contributor to the global burden of suicide. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between social and economic variables with the incidence of self-poisoning with Paraquat in the northeast of Colombia. METHODS: Records of 154 cases of self-poisoning with Paraquat and several socio-economic variables of six regions of northeast of Colombia were analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the cases were mestizos, farmworkers, between 20 and 29 years, with intentional exposure using the oral route. Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations among the incidence of self-poisoning with PQ with the ecological factors such as poverty greater than 30% (IRR 15.9 IC95% 5.56-44.72), land Gini index < 0.7 (IRR 7.11 IC95% 3.58-14.12), private health insurance < 40% (IRR 3.39 IC95% 1.30-8.82) and planted area > 10% (IRR 2.47 IC95% 1.60-3.80). CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between ecological factors and, as such, this study opens the way to further developments in the field.

Costo de la intoxicación por Paraquat en Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Paraquat (PQ) poisoning is a public health problem that affects developing countries. The lack of information regarding the economic impact generated by this problem in the country constitutes a barrier to the correct allocation of health priorities. OBJECTIVE: Estimate the annual cost of PQ poisoning in Colombia. METHODS: A cost-disease study was made, using a decision tree model from the perspective of society, taking an approach based on prevalence. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was made using the Monte Carlo technique with a simulation of a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients intoxicated by PQ. RESULTS: An average cost per patient of US$ 2.642 (CI 95% 2.237-6.638 US$) was estimated for acute PQ poisoning. Taking into account the national report during 2017 of 344 cases to national surveillance system; the total cost of PQ poisoning in Colombia amounts to US $ 892 336 per year. CONCLUSIONS: The average cost per patient intoxicated by PQ exceeds that of various chronic diseases prevalent in our country. This reveals the impact not only clinical, but also economical, of this poisoning in our country, necessitating strategies that regulate commercialization to avoid premature deaths.