Citation

McDowell R, Fowles J, Phillips D. N. Zeal. Med. J. 2005; 118(1225).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, New Zealand Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aims: To describe the epidemiology and toxicology of poisoning deaths in New Zealand for 2001 and 2002.

METHODS: Poisoning mortality data for 2001 and 2002 were collected from the Coronial Service Office (CSO) as part of the New Zealand chemical injury surveillance system.

RESULTS: There was 235 and 234 poisoning deaths in 2001 and 2002 respectively, an annual rate of 6.3 [95% CI of 5.5 to 7.1] deaths per 100,000 population for both years. Two-thirds (67.0%) of the deaths were intentional. The 25-44 year age group had the largest number of cases and highest age-specific rate (123 deaths, 11.1 [95% CI: 9.3-13.2] per 100,000 in 2001 and 119 deaths, 10.7 [(95% CI: 9.0-12.8] per 100,000 in 2002). Over two-thirds (68.9%) of the deaths were male. In 2001, the European rate was slightly higher than that for Maori but rates for the two ethnicities were similar in 2002. Geographically, West Coast District Health Board (DHB) had the highest rates. Rates increased with increasing deprivation. Nearly two-thirds (64.3%) of the intentional deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide. Methadone, morphine or heroin, and ethanol were the leading causes of the unintentional deaths.

CONCLUSIONS: The rate of poisoning deaths in New Zealand is comparable with other industrial countries as is the prominence of poisoning as a leading method of suicide. © NZMA.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; adolescent; Child; Adult; Child, Preschool; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; adult; human; Adolescent; suicide; Suicide; child; female; infant; male; newborn; Poisoning; Sex Distribution; alcohol; New Zealand; Age Distribution; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; aged; incidence; sex difference; cause of death; mortality; intoxication; Asian; article; major clinical study; controlled study; sex ratio; socioeconomics; drug intoxication; amitriptyline; carbon monoxide; carbon monoxide intoxication; geographic distribution; Aborigine; age distribution; middle aged; Oceanic Ancestry Group; preschool child; statistics; morphine; ethnic difference; diamorphine; methadone; accidental death; domestic chemical; butane; propane; Caucasian; narcotic agent; European Continental Ancestry Group; gasoline; chemical injury; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; hydrocarbon; liquefied petroleum gas; Narcotics; toxic substance