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High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC)
Published on: May 10, 2016
Use of Toxicology Reports to Examine Substances Used in Poisoning-related Suicides among US Health Care Workers
Victor A Soupene1,2, Jonathan Davis1, J Priyanka Vakkalanka2
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Objective:
To assess the association between occupational access to drugs and poisoning-related suicides involving specific substances.
Methods:
Using National Violent Death Reporting System data, we compared poisoning-related suicides where selected substances were present versus absent. Occupational access to drugs was defined as working in occupations involving drugs. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated with sexstratified multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
Male and female workers with occupational access to drugs had higher odds of poisoning-related suicides involving benzodiazepines and polysubstance use of benzodiazepines and opioids. Among female workers, access was also associated with suicides involving antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and opioids.
Conclusions:
Occupational access to drugs is linked to increased odds of poisoning-related suicides involving benzodiazepines. Prevention strategies, including lethal means counseling, may help reduce risk.
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