Background: Acute poisoning from occupational, accidental, and intentional exposure is a leading public health problem of the developing world. Pattern of poisoning varies from country to country and region to region depending on various factors. Periodic epidemiological studies are necessary to understand the pattern of poisoning in each region. There is a lack of data regarding clinico-epidemiological profile of acute poisoning cases in our region.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the pattern of acute poisoning cases and to study the sociodemographic determinant and clinical outcome of victims of acute poisoning.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study carried out from June 2013 to May 2014. All poisoning cases admitted during the study period to the emergency ward and intensive care unit medicine ward were included in the study. Relevant epidemiological and clinical data from the patients were collected and analyzed.
Results: A total of 142 cases of acute poisoning were included in the study. Males accounted for 62.67% of the total cases and most of the victims of acute poisoning were from rural area, i.e., 77.46%. Majority of patients, i.e., 43.67% were farmers by occupation. The most common age group involved was between 20 and 40 years. Majority of them, i.e., 76.76% were married. Majority of them were belonging to low socioeconomic class. Suicidal poisoning was common, i.e., 57.74%. Organophosphorous compounds were the most commonly preferred poison (67.60%). In the present study, >84% of cases reached the hospital within 3 h of exposure. Mortality rate of 11.26% was noticed in the present study.
Conclusion: The present study concludes that acute poisoning is an alarming public health problem in this region. It affects the larger number of young male population, particularly farmers. The predominant mode of poisoning was suicidal and organophosphate (OP) compounds were the preferred poison. It is essential to strengthen the legislature on the availability of OP compounds.
Key words: Clinico-epidemiological Profile; Acute Poisoning; Compounds Organophosphorous; Pesticides
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