Pattern and Epidemiology of Poisoning in the East African Region: A Literature Review

Tagwireyi, Dexter; Chingombe, Patience; Khoza, Star; Maredza, Mandy

doi:10.1155/2016/8789624

Cited by 19 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…In that study, Gesesew et al indicated that the probability of pesticide exposure was very high, and the two most important routes of exposure as reported by farmers were inhalation and ingestion [ 17 , 18 ]. The most perceived human health concerns were skin irritation, deaths, and respiratory and eye problems, which were also reported in other investigations [ 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Although people interviewed in our study did not name asthma as a pesticide health problem, 24% of farmers in the study in Ethiopia [ 17 ] cited asthma as a serious health problem.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…In an opinion article, some evidence has been gathered to suggest the serious risk of asthma among farmers exposed to high levels of pesticides [ 20 ]. Acute pesticide poisoning of farmers and relatives occurs mostly via inhalation [ 2 ], while risks of long-term effects may occur through ingestion of pesticide residues in foods [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Once in the human body, pesticides can, via different biochemical pathways, lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, birth defects, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reproductive disorders [ 22 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Pilot Study in Cameroon to Understand Safe Uses of Pesticides in Agriculture, Risk Factors for Farmers’ Exposure and Management of Accidental Cases

Pouokam

Album²,

Ndikontar³

et al. 2017

Toxics

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Chemical pesticides are widely used in Cameroon for agricultural production. In 2015, more than 600 pesticide products were approved for use in various foodstuffs. Much misuse of these chemicals by farmers has been documented in rural and urban settings. This pilot study aims to contribute to the improvement of the health of the population and the environmental preservation by identifying pesticide-poisoning cases, the most incriminated products and critical risk factors of exposure. Questionnaires were administered to pesticide vendors, farmers and health personnel, and observations made on farmers’ practices at their work places. From July to September 2016, 24 villages from five sites, representing the most important agricultural production areas of the five agro-ecological zones of Cameroon, were visited. In total, 519 people were interviewed: 412 farmers, 69 pesticide vendors and 38 health personnel. A total of 180 pesticide formulations out of 610 registered in 2015 were said to be used by farmers. In the 38 health centers visited, 56 cases of pesticide poisonings and intoxications were reported between 2011 and 2016. Paraquat-, glyphosate-, cypermethrin- and metalaxyl-formulated pesticides were the most incriminated. In total, 78% of poisoning cases were accidental, 12% suicide attempts, 4% criminal. Entry of pesticide products from neighboring countries needs to be better regulated, and the quality of pesticides sold on the market should be monitored periodically. Empty pesticide containers should be recuperated from smallholder farmers. Authorities should set up a harmonized pesticide-poisoning management procedure, and create a toxico-vigilance system for surveillance cases and preventive actions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pilot Study in Cameroon to Understand Safe Uses of Pesticides in Agriculture, Risk Factors for Farmers’ Exposure and Management of Accidental Cases

Pouokam

Album²,

Ndikontar³

et al. 2017

Toxics

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“…Suspected methanol poisoning outbreaks with fatal outcomes have been reported in Uganda [9]. However, no thorough investigations were conducted during those outbreaks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatal Methanol Poisoning Caused by Drinking Adulterated Locally Distilled Alcohol: Wakiso District, Uganda, June 2017

Birungi¹,

Eyu²,

Okethwangu³

et al. 2020

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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Background. Methanol, an industrial solvent, can cause illness and death if ingested. In June 2017, the Uganda Ministry of Health was notified of a cluster of deaths which occurred after drinking alcohol. We investigated to determine the cause of outbreak, identify risk factors, and recommend evidence-based control measures. Methods. We defined a probable case as acute loss of eyesight and ≥1 of the following symptoms: profuse sweating, vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness in a resident of either Nabweru or Nangabo Subcounty from 1 to 30 June 2017. In a case-control study, we compared exposures of case-patients and controls selected among asymptomatic neighbors who drank alcohol and matched by age and sex. We collected alcohol samples from implicated bars and wholesaler X for testing. Results. We identified 15 cases; 12 (80%) died. Among case-patients, 12 (80%) were men; the median age was 43 (range: 23–66) years. Thirteen (87%) of 15 case-patients and 15 (25%) of 60 controls last drank a locally distilled alcohol at one of the three bars supplied by wholesaler X (ORM-H = 15; 95% CI: 2.3–106). We found that alcohol sellers sometimes added methanol to drinking alcohol to increase their profit margin. Among the 10 alcohol samples from wholesaler X, the mean methanol content (1200 mg/L, range: 77–2711 mg/L) was 24 times higher than the safe level. Conclusion. This outbreak was caused by drinking a locally distilled alcohol adulterated with methanol from wholesaler X. We recommended enforcing existing laws governing alcohol manufacture and sale. We recommended timely intravenous administration of ethanol to methanol poisoning victims.

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“…Ultimately high amounts of these hazardous chemicals are allowed in the food chain at the expense of everyone's health. A literature review on pattern and epidemiology of poisoning in East African region reported organphosphorus poisoning as one of the key causes of nontraumatic coma in Zambia (Tagwireyi et al 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of pesticide residue levels among locally produced fruits and vegetables in Monze district, Zambia

et al. 2017

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Background: The use of pesticides in fruits and vegetable production is beneficial for preventing, destroying or repelling pests that may damage these crops. The use of these chemicals however, often leads to the presence of residues in the fruits and vegetables after harvest. This study investigated farmers' compliance to applicable national standards by assessing pesticide residues in selected locally produced fruits and vegetables in two study sites in Monze, Zambia. The study used mixed methods (convergent parallel) design. We procured rape, cabbages, tomato and orange samples from conveniently sampled fruit and vegetable farmers around Hachaanga and St. Mary's areas in Monze, Zambia. Samples were analyzed for residues of dichlorvos using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Estimated average daily intakes (EADI) were calculated using standard formula. We also explored farmers' practices in dealing with regulatory issues in pesticide use and handling. A total of 14 key informant interviews with farmers, agriculture and public health officers and one policy maker were undertaken using a semi structured interview guide, were voice recorded, later transcribed and analyzed using Nvivo 10 software. Results: Results revealed detectable residues in 63.3% of 30 tested samples out of which three samples (one each of cabbage, tomato and orange samples) exceeded the codex Alimentarius maximum residual limit (0.1 mg/kg). However, all samples had residues below the Zambia Food and Drugs standard (0.5 ppm). The EADIs were also below WHO/FAO allowable daily intake recommended in all fruit and vegetable samples; however hazard indices for cabbage and oranges were close to the value one. In regard to farmers' practices, results showed great variation in pesticide use and handling, limited knowledge, observation of reduced waiting periods and limited monitoring and regulation of pesticide use among farmers. Conclusion: Our investigation found that all our samples had residues within the locally applicable regulation limits. All our EADIs were below the FAO/WHO limits. However, farmers' practices in pesticide use and handling were not conformity to guidelines. Therefore, there is need for educating food producers on handling and hazards of pesticides in Zambia.

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Pattern and Epidemiology of Poisoning in the East African Region: A Literature Review

Cited by 19 publications

References 65 publications

A Pilot Study in Cameroon to Understand Safe Uses of Pesticides in Agriculture, Risk Factors for Farmers’ Exposure and Management of Accidental Cases

A Pilot Study in Cameroon to Understand Safe Uses of Pesticides in Agriculture, Risk Factors for Farmers’ Exposure and Management of Accidental Cases

Fatal Methanol Poisoning Caused by Drinking Adulterated Locally Distilled Alcohol: Wakiso District, Uganda, June 2017

Assessment of pesticide residue levels among locally produced fruits and vegetables in Monze district, Zambia

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