The Socio-Demographics and Health Service Use of Opioid Overdose Decedents in Wales: A Cross-Sectional Data Linkage Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fatal opioid overdose is a significant public health problem with increasing incidence in developed countries. This study aimed to describe demographic and service user characteristics of decedents of opioid overdose in Wales to identify possible targets for behaviour modification and life-saving interventions.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted of a census sample of opioid overdose-related deaths recorded between January 01, 2012, and October 11, 2018, in Wales. UK Office for National Statistics, Welsh Demographic Service, and National Health Service datasets were linked deterministically. Decedents' circumstances of death, demographic characteristics, residency, and health service use were characterized over 3 years prior to fatal ove

SUBMITTER: Fuller GW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9216307 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature