Accidental vs. deliberate overdose admissions to the emergency department in Bali's largest hospital - a look into the effects of mental health on Indonesia's substance abuse problem

Authors

  • Alice June Dunham University of Aberdeen
  • Daniel M Bennet University of Aberdeen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3375096

Keywords:

Mental Health, Overdose, Accidental Overdose, Deliberate Overdose, Substance Abuse, Mental Illness

Abstract

Background

Mental health care in Indonesia is under-resourced, drugs are easily available, and alcohol use is rising, increasing the risk of accidental and deliberate overdose. 

Aims

Identify the demographics of overdose patients presenting to the emergency department. Determine the substances commonly used in overdose; the percentage of accidental vs. deliberate overdoses; the psychiatric history of overdose patients; the reasons behind the overdoses occurring.

Methods

22 overdose patients over the age of 18 that had presented to the emergency department at the RSUP Sanglah Hospital in a 1-year period were included in the study. Data were collected from records kept by the hospital on gender, age, nationality, substance(s) used in overdose, presence of psychiatric disorder, whether the overdose was accidental or deliberate, and the reason behind the overdose. Microsoft Excel was used to collect and analyse the data.

Results

Overdoses were predominantly carried out by male Indonesians aged 25-34. Alcohol was the most common substance used (n=5, 22.7%). 55.5% (n= 12) of overdoses were accidental and 45.5% (n=10) were deliberate. 3 out of 22 patients had a diagnosed mental disorder. The unknown quantity consumed; unknown content consumed; over-consumption; and spiked drink caused an accidental overdose. Suicidality and family issues caused a deliberate overdose.

Conclusions

Overdose rates were lower than expected. Accidental overdoses are likely due to easy access to substances, and a fear of retribution preventing admission to hospital. The high deliberate overdose rate plus low mental disorder rate suggests patients reach a mental-health crisis point before being diagnosed with a mental disorder. 

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Author Biography

Alice June Dunham, University of Aberdeen

Newly qualified doctor from University of Aberdeen

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Published

2019-08-08

How to Cite

Dunham, A. J., & Bennet, D. M. (2019). Accidental vs. deliberate overdose admissions to the emergency department in Bali’s largest hospital - a look into the effects of mental health on Indonesia’s substance abuse problem. South East Asia Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3375096

Issue

Section

Original research