The global distribution of fatal pesticide self-poisoning: Systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence is accumulating that pesticide self-poisoning is one of the most commonly used methods of suicide worldwide, but the magnitude of the problem and the global distribution of these deaths is unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have systematically reviewed the worldwide literature to estimate the number of pesticide suicides in each of the World Health Organisation's six regions and the global burden of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides. We used the following data sources: Medline, EMBASE and psycINFO (1990–2007), papers cited in publications retrieved, the worldwide web (using Google) and our personal collections of papers and books. Our aim was to identify papers enabling us to estimate the proportion of a country's suicides due to pesticide self-poisoning.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We conservatively estimate that there are 258,234 (plausible range 233,997 to 325,907) deaths from pesticide self-poisoning worldwide each year, accounting for 30% (range 27% to 37%) of suicides globally. Official data from India probably underestimate the incidence of suicides; applying evidence-based corrections to India's official data, our estimate for world suicides using pesticides increases to 371,594 (range 347,357 to 439,267). The proportion of all suicides using pesticides varies from 4% in the European Region to over 50% in the Western Pacific Region but this proportion is not concordant with the volume of pesticides sold in each region; it is the pattern of pesticide use and the toxicity of the products, not the quantity used, that influences the likelihood they will be used in acts of fatal self-harm.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pesticide self-poisoning accounts for about one-third of the world's suicides. Epidemiological and toxicological data suggest that many of these deaths might be prevented if (a) the use of pesticides most toxic to humans was restricted, (b) pesticides could be safely stored in rural communities, and (c) the accessibility and quality of care for poisoning could be improved.</p

Business schools in crisis

Economic, political, and demographic changes, technological advances, two crashes of the economy, ethical scandals, and other developments in the business environment have strained the roles and enrollments of American universities' business schools. The b-schools have not responded adequately. Prevailing theories in many of the management disciplines have broken down, partly as a result of the same environmental changes. Again, schools and curricula have not adapted. Collegiate business education is in dire crisis. In this paper we document the crisis, note measures that have been taken - both constructive and otherwise - and make further suggestions for improving the situation

KARBONMONOKSIT ZEHIRLENMESINE BAGLI OLUMLER

Intoxications have great importance among forensic medicine studies. Deaths due to Carbon Monoxide intoxications (COI) are seen more frequently than those due to the use of toxic substances. In this study, along an 8-year period, 381 COI cases whose autopsies are made in the Morgue Department of the Council of Forensic Medicine-Istanbul and whose origins are not dependent to fire are investigated. Among the autopsies made in Istanbul, the proportion of the cases due to COI are 3 %. 76.6 % of the cases were men, and 65 % were in the age range 11-40. The mean age of the cases was found to be 32.6 and the age decade of the deaths had have been seen most frequently was 21-30. Most of the deaths have occurred in winter seasons. 13 % of the cases were found to be intoxicated with alcohol, and lethal Carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) level was 63.2 %

ISTANBUL'DA ALKOL ALIMININ ESLIK ETTIGI OLUMLER

Violent deaths represent a high percentage among postmortem investigations. The percentage increases, if the cases of acute alcohol intoxications and cases of homicide precipitated by excessive intake of alcohol are included. Although alcohol creates a comfortable atmosphere in human relationships, it is a well known fact that alcohol initiates (causes) circumstances under which individuals kill each other in a brutal and merciless manner, as well. In the present study, cases of medicolegal autopsy performed at Morgue department of The Council of Forensic Medicine, covering a two year-period and presenting with increased blood alcohol concentration, are included. Age, sex, origin, causes of deaths and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were studied. Of 456 cases studied, 92.8 % were males and 74.5 % represented an age group ranging from 20 to 50 years. The majority of the cases (32 %) were represented in the age group 30-40 years. In the cases studied, the mean BAC was estimated to be 212.7 mg. %. Violent deaths were the most frequent ones (81.6 %), with accidents and homicides occupying the first two ranks. In contrast to other studies reported, hanging was found to be most frequent method of suicide. Among natural deaths, diseases of the cardiovascular system occupied the first place

Firearm fatalities in Edirne, 1984-1997

During the 14-year period from 1984 to 1997 there were 85 firearm fatalities investigated by the Department of Forensic Medicine and the Department of Pathology in Edirne, Turkey. We determined the characteristics of these 85 firearm deaths which comprised 17.03% of all medicolegal autopsies. The overall incidence was 1.58 per 100 000 population. The median age was 35.5 years. Fifty-four percent of the victims were aged between 20 and 40 years. Males constituted 82% of the victims. The most frequent manner of death was homicide (68.3%). Handguns accounted for 62.4% of the weapons used. The most common sites for the firearm entrance wounds were both head-neck-nape (32.8%) and chest (32%). In conclusion, our study shows that, in spite of legal restrictions, illegal access to firearms is easy and deaths by firearms are still increasing. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved