The profile of acute poisonings in Harayana-Rohtak Study.
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-93362
ABSTRACT
A prospective study of 559 cases of acute poisoning who came to this hospital over a period of 14 months. 91.4% cases were of self poisoning (suicidal), 8.1% accidental and only 0.5% homicidal. Majority of patients were young (mean age 27 years), males twice the number of females. Almost 3/4th of the total patients belonged to lower socio-economic group (rural more than urban). The common causative factors which led to self poisoning were marital disharmony, economic hardships and scolding/disagreement with other family members. Aluminium phosphide (ALP) was the most commonly abused substance followed by organophosphates and zinc phosphide in 67.8, 13.9 and 4.3% cases respectively. The overall mortality rate in the series was 33.82%, but true mortality rate in patients who consumed ALP was as high as 67.6%. Most of these cases (94.9%) were not given any preliminary treatment in the village primary health centre (PHC) nearest to the site of mishap and they were brought/referred to this hospital straight and thus most valuable time crucial for effective treatment was lost. Easy availability of a highly toxic substance like ALP at peak moments of frustration has added fuel to the fire and pushed up the incidence of self-poisoning. Suggested preventive measures include caging of tablets in plastic packs, stringent restrictions on free supply of ALP and education of medical/paramedical personnel involved in health care delivery at grass root level.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Pesticides
/
Phosphines
/
Poisoning
/
Rodenticides
/
Suicide
/
Suicide, Attempted
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Accidents
Type of study:
Observational study
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Year:
1995
Type:
Article
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