Acute Voluntary Self-Poisoning in Adolescents and Suicide Intent Assessment: A Prospective Study in the Emergency Department of the Mahmoud Yaacoub Emergency Medical Center

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Published Sep 13, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i08.6753
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Vol. 104 No. 08 (2026): Tunis Med Aug 2026

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Camillia Jeddi
Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Mahmoud Yaacoub of Urgent Medical Assistance, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis el Manar,Tunis, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7513-3451
Soumaya Abidi
Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Mahmoud Yaacoub of Urgent Medical Assistance, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis el Manar,Tunis, Tunisia
Mohamed Kilani
Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Mahmoud Yaacoub of Urgent Medical Assistance, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis el Manar,Tunis, Tunisia
Hafedh Thabet
Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Mahmoud Yaacoub of Urgent Medical Assistance, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis el Manar,Tunis, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8751-8012

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent suicide attempts remain a critical global health concern, with self-poisoning being the most common method. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical features of adolescent self-poisoning cases presenting to the emergency department (ED), and to
assess their suicide intent.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted over 12 months (October 2023–September 2024) at the ED of Mahmoud Yaacoub Emergency Medical Center. Adolescents aged 10–19 years with voluntary self-poisoning were included. Data on demographics, clinical history, suicide attempt characteristics, presentation, and management were collected. Suicide intent was assessed using the Pierce Suicide Intent Scale.
Results: A total of 246 cases were included, predominantly female (84.6%), with a median age of 17 [IQR: 16–18]. Psychiatric history was noted in 28.5%, and 26.8% had previous suicide attempts. Pharmaceuticals were the main substances, with acetaminophen (18.8%) and benzodiazepines
(16.5%) most frequently used. Most patients were asymptomatic (65.9%); gastrointestinal (19.1%) and neurological (15.6%) symptoms were common among symptomatic cases. Activated charcoal and antidotes were administered in 7.3% and 10.2% of cases, respectively. Moderate suicide intent was identified in 58.4% of those assessed. Multivariate analysis showed that prior suicide attempts (OR = 2.49, p = 0.044, 95%CI [1.02-6.03]) and presumed ingested toxic doses (OR = 2.48, p = 0.038, 95%CI [1.05-5.88] ) were independent predictors of high suicide intent.
Conclusion: Voluntary self-poisoning in adolescents most often involved acetaminophen and benzodiazepines. A history of prior attempts and toxic presumed ingested doses were significantly associated with high suicide intent.

Keywords:

Adolescents, Intoxication, Intentional self-poisoning, Suicide attempts, Suicide intent, Emergency department

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biography

Hafedh Thabet, Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Mahmoud Yaacoub of Urgent Medical Assistance, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis el Manar,Tunis, Tunisia

MD

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