Opioid intoxications in 41 Valley municipalities: a retrospective descriptive quantitative approach study with analytical intent 2017-2021

Intoxicaciones por opioides en 41 municipios del Valle: estudio de enfoque cuantitativo, descriptivo, retrospectivo con intención analítica 2017-2021

Objective: to determine the epidemiological behaviour of opioid poisonings in the 41 municipalities of Valle del Cauca during the five-year period 2017-2021.

Materials and methods: we conducted a quantitative, retrospective study with analytical intent, of the epidemiological behaviour of opioid poisonings in the 41 municipalities of Valle del Cauca between 2017-2021. The population to be analysed includes 143 records of people with opioid intoxications registered in the Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA), excluding the District of Buenaventura. No sampling is applied, but a census sample where the population is equal to the sample. The median age was 21 years, with a prevalence rate of poisoning among females (53.8%), students (34.3%) and minors (16.8%).

Results: tramadol is the most common opioid, with a significant frequency of unintentional exposure, accounting for more than 50% of cases. The oral route is the main method of exposure, unintentional in approximately 70% of cases. With regard to tramadol, the study shows a probable association with the most com-mon poisoning occurring in households; morphine in householders. Tramadol plus acetaminophen are consumed with suicidal intent; in contrast, unidentified opioids are consumed with psychoactive intent.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for specific preventive and treatment strategies to address opioid poisoning in different demographic groups. It highlights the importance of considering opioids as individual categories in order to provide a more effective and targeted response to this public health issue.