Impacto del inicio de la pandemia por COVID-19 en el uso recreativo de alcohol, derivados de cannabis y cocaína en adultos de Costa Rica, 2019-2020 : COVID-19 and recreational drug use in Costa Rica

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the statistical data of the incidence of cases of poisoning reported to the National Center for Poisoning Control (CNCI) and the medical consultations provided at the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and at the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA). ) due to consumption of alcohol, cannabis derivatives and cocaine, in adults aged 18-65 during the years 2019-2020 in Costa Rica. In addition to analyzing the epidemiological relationship of the previous data with the start of the pandemic in 2020. Methods: an observational, longitudinal and retrospective epidemiological study was carried out, using statistical tests such as T student, Chi square and correlation coefficient linear. Results: Alcohol poisoning showed an increase of 49% in the absolute total number of cases (p=0.0140) in 2020. In addition, the number of attentions associated with cocaine use in the IAFA decreased by 9.5 % during the year 2020. While a Pearson coefficient of 0.6193 was documented for alcohol consumption associated with positive cases of COVID-19 in 2020. Conclusion: During the beginning of the pandemic, the number of cases of Intoxications reported by the CNCI due to alcohol consumption increased by 49% for the year 2020 compared to the year 2019, this in positive correlation with the increase in new positive cases due to COVID-19 during the year 2020. This was not true in the case of cannabis and cocaine use.