Poisoning by pesticides in medicolegal autopsies. Tegucigalpa 2014-2020

Abstract

Justification: Pesticides have caused a significant public health problem since they have generated a significant burden of mortality and morbidity. Pesticide suicides account for about a third of all suicides in the world. Objective: To characterize the deaths related to pesticides, submitted to legal medical autopsy in the Directorate of Forensic Medicine of Tegucigalpa during the years 2014-2020. Methodology: The digital database of the Directorate of Forensic Medicine was consulted, finding 255 cases related to death by pesticides, of which 215 cases with a complete and available file were selected. Statistical calculations were performed with the SPSS program. Results: 215 cases were found, 58% were men and 42% women, 54% were single and 29% in free union. No schooling 11%, incomplete primary 20%, complete primary 15%, incomplete secondary 12%, complete secondary 10%. Regarding the occupation of the deceased, domestic chores was the most frequent among women and agriculture among men. 65% were young people under 40 years of age with a mean age of 35 years (range 8-89). The most frequent way of death was suicide with 71%. The most used pesticide as an instrument of death was aluminum phosphide (66%). Conclusion: Most deaths from pesticide poisoning were suicides; young men, under 40 years of age, single, with no more than high school education; used aluminum phosphide tablets as a self-harm instrument. It is necessary to study in more detail the use of toxins in general and of pesticides in particular as instruments of self-harm and the urgent need to enable regulatory measures for commercialization and education campaigns in the population for the use and proper management is evident.