Drug overdose in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia

Fifty-seven cases of drug overdose, seen in Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1989 to 1993 inclusive were studied. The study has shown progressive increase in the number of parasuicides in recent years. Forty-six cases were diagnosed as self-induced drug overdose (parasuicide), while the remaining 11 were considered to be accidental overdose, mainly in children. The sociodemographic features of the sample showed that 89% of the parasuicide cases were among Saudis and that 77.8% of them occurred in females. Their average age was 23.9+/-9.1 years and 95.6% of them were below the age of 40 years. The commonly used drugs were analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and tranquilizers or antidepressants. Psychiatric illnesses were diagnosed in 74.4% of cases of parasuicide, with depressive illnesses constituting 39.5% and personality disorders the remaining 34.9%. Possible reasons for the recent increase of parasuicide by drug ingestion were discussed and the rates were compared with studies from the Gulf region and Western countries.