Epidemiological Study of Fatal Poisoning in Young Adults under Age 30 Referred to Kerman Legal Medicine Center From 2012 to 2022

Introduction: The rise in drug and chemical production and availability has resulted in a growing issue of poisoning. Studying the epidemiology of poisonings aids in strategic planning and decision-making for the control and reduction of poisoning cases. This study was conducted to explore the epidemiology of fatal poisonings among young adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Kerman Legal Medicine Organization records, collected through census sampling. In total, the records of 507 individuals aged 14 to 29 years, who died from poisoning and were referred to the Kerman Legal Medicine Organization between 2012 and 2022, were included in the study. The data were analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression tests (SPSS software, with P < 0.05). Results: The majority of those who died from poisoning were males (67.1%), unmarried (72.8%), residing in urban areas (61.5%), and had under-diploma education (50.7%). Among opioids, methadone, and among chemical poisons, paraquat, were responsible for the highest number of fatal poisonings. The education level showed an inverse relation with chemical poisoning, and a direct relation with non-opioid drug poisoning (R = -0.130, P = 0.006). The majority of individuals who died outside the hospital had opioid poisoning. Conclusion: A strategic macro-decision on a national scale is crucial for preventing fatal poisonings. At the regional level, it is necessary to raise awareness among students aged over 14 years about methadone, the naloxone antidote, and herbicide paraquat. Supplying naloxone nasal spray to organizations that interact with addicts can effectively decrease fatalities from poisoning.