A Comparative Retrospective Study of Poisoning Cases in Central, Zonal and District Hospitals

Abstract

The 582 data collected from Central, Zonal and District level Hospitals, which occurred from Magh 2057 to Poush 2058 produced significant results. Various parameters (age, sex, marital status, time of ingestion, month of occurrence, Agent responsible for the incidence, type of poisoning, outcome and duration of treatment) were analyzed. Similarly the pattern of frequency distribution of the above-mentioned parameter in central, zonal and district level of hospitals were compared.Hypothesis were made and tested. Females were found to be more susceptible to the intentional incidence than male (p = 0.000). Intentional poisoning for unmarried male was found to be more (34%) than for female. On the contrary, intentional poisoning in female was high in case of married subjects (57%)(p = 0.000). The most common type of poisoning causing the intentional attempt was organophosphates (40%) followed by Phosphides (14%). On the other hand unintentional poisoning was most common due to the unclassified and other agents (8%), which were followed by hydrocarbons (6.3%). (p = 0.000). The most common organophosphate used for intentional attempt for poisoning is methyl parathion (31%) when compared with other groups of organophosphates (26%). Sedative and hypnotics were the most common type of drugs (43%) used for intentional attempt. Nighttime incidence was more frequent (31%). Homicidal poisoning occurring in both central and district hospital were equal being 3.6% of the total types of attempt of incidence. Most of the cases as obvious were found to be cured (84.8% out of total cases). The zonal hospital shows the highest cure rate (89.2%) followed by district hospital (74.2%)-the comparison however excludes central level hospitals. The mortality however is similar in both hospitals (4.4% and 4.5% respectively in zonal and district hospitals).Accidental intake of hydrocarbon was found to be most frequent in the children (33%) while intentional intakes of other agents were more frequent in adults (97%). The rainy season was the most common season for the attempt of intentional incidence (47.8%) adding to mortality. The most common age group of subjects exposed to intentional attempt that adds to the mortality is 15-24 years (39.1%). The TYPE, primarily adding to mortality was intentional intake (91.3%) (p = 0.008). Most of the intentional incidence adding to mortality is caused by organophosphates (66.7%) followed by Phosphides (19%). Subjects between age group 15-24 are more likely to cause the intentional exposure (44%) while children below five years are more likely to cause accidental KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY VOL. I, No. V, SEPTEMBER 2008, pp 40-48. 41 exposure (6%) (p = 0.000). Seasonal comparison showed a high incidence in rainy season (24%) as compared to that of autumn (23%).

Prospects of poisoning – a multi facet study

“…In the study, majority of cases were Hindus. This finding was similar with other studies [27,29] larger Hindu population in Indian states being the obvious reason.…”

“…Przyczyną takiego stanu rzeczy jest prawdopodobnie stres związany z nowym zakresem odpowiedzialności po ślubie oraz brak zgodności małżeńskiej [26][27][28]. Większość ofiar zatruć stanowili wyznawcy hinduizmu, co jest zbieżne z wynikami innych badaczy [27,29]. Naturalnym powodem takiego stanu rzeczy jest fakt, że wyznawcy hinduizmu stanowią największą grupę społeczną w poszczególnych stanach Indii.…”

Trend and outcome of acute poisoning case: an experience from emergency department of eastern Nepal

“…Mortality rates reported by us is 5.1% as compared to 2.9% to 6.9% as reported by others from the country. 1,6,20 The mortality rate reported from Ethiopia is quite low (<1%), however, the commonest poison reported was household agents in the study. 3 An underreporting on mortality is possible, however, since a large proportion of patients "left against medical advice" (12%) and their outcome could not be verified.…”

“…2,[6][7] The number of poisoning, however, is increasing year by year. 1,11,14 Periodic researches can be useful to document the evolving trend of poisoning especially in countries with lesser poisoning centers and resources. The number of poisoning cases (1437) reported here are by far the largest reported from the country.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] The reasons for poisoning are mostly intentional self-harm, accidental and sometimes homicidal. It poses a significant burden on the health resources with an appreciable mortality and morbidity.…”