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Spatial distribution and temporal trend of drug-related deaths in the Islamic Republic of Iran during 2014–2017
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Masoudeh Babakhanian   , Sajjad Rahimi pordanjani |
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Abstract: (279 Views) |
Inrtoduction: Research suggests that there is an increasing trend in drug-related deaths worldwide: about 69,000 individuals lose their lives annually because of substance abuse. To determine the geographical distribution of drug-related deaths in the Islamic Republic of Iran and to evaluate incidence trends, with a focus on identifying high- and low-risk regions.
Methods and Materials: For this ecological study, we collected data from the 2 primary sources (the Legal Medicine Organization and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education) responsible for registering substance-related deaths during 2014–2017. Data analysis was conducted using Joinpoint regression analysis, Global Moran’s I, and Anselin Local Moran’s I.
Results: Of the 12,386 drug-related deaths in 2014–2017, most occurred during the summer months; 7162 of these were among middle-aged individuals. The mean age of children and adolescents who died of substance abuse was 5.2 [standard deviation (SD 4.6)] years. In the young adult group, the mean age at death was 20.7 (SD 2.5) years; it was 34.2 (SD 5.4) years for adults and 55.6 (SD 9.8) years for older adults. Changes in mortality rate peaked in 2017 (annual percentage change=0.52). In the last months of the study period, there was a nonsignificant decrease (annual percentage change=6.99) in the incidence (average annual percentage change=0.5; 95% confidence interval: 2.3-3.2).
Conclusion: Deaths due to substance abuse will remain a massive public health problem unless policy and decision-makers determine why this problem continues to increase despite the extensive efforts on regulation and find ways to mitigate it.
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| Keywords: drug-related death, incidence, spatial distribution, temporal trend, substance abuse, Iran |
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Full-Text [PDF 368 kb]
(37 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2024/01/10 | Accepted: 2023/08/23 | Published: 2023/08/23
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