THE PREVALENCE OF SUICIDAL INTOXICATIONS AMONG CASES PRESENTED TO NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

BACKGROUND& OBJECTIVES : Suicide is a tragic and a potentially preventable public health problem. The mental health effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic might be profound and there are suggestions that suicide rates will rise. AIM OF THIS STUDY : to assess and identify the prevalence of suicidal cases presented to NECTR before and during COVID-19 pandemic SUBJECTS& METHODS : The study included 388 cases presented to NECTR during the period of the study which is 6 months before the pandemic and 6 months during the pandemic. RESULTS : The total number of cases during the pandemic was decreased compared to before the pandemic. The most common age group was the adult age group (18-25 years) with a higher percentage of females during the two study periods. The most common poison of suicide during the two periods was pesticides. There was a decrease in the mortality rate during the pandemic. The worst outcome was associated with pesticide poisoning and the highest poisoning severity scores. CONCLUSION: The current study confirming an overall effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of suicidal intoxications presented to NECTR.