Poisoning cases and their management in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia: Hospital-based prospective study

Author:

Asrie Assefa BelayORCID,Atnafie Seyfe Asrade,Getahun Kefyalew Ayalew,Birru Eshetie Melese,Mekonnen Gashaw Binega,Alemayehu Geta Asrade,Endehabtu Berhanu Fikadie,Badi Marta Berta,Adinew Getinet Mequanint

Abstract

Background Poisoning is a significant public health problem globally. Ethiopia is a low-income country undergoing technological and social change that may increase access to drugs and chemicals, potentially increasing the incidence of poisoning. This study describes the epidemiology of hospital admissions due to poisoning in a region of Ethiopia. Methods An institution based prospective observational study was employed, as a study design, in selected hospitals of the region from January to December 2018. Results Of 442 poisoning cases, 78 (17.6%) died. Almost all poisoning cases were intentional self-poisonings. The most frequent poisonings were organophosphate compounds, 145 (32.8%), and metal phosphides (majorly aluminum phosphide), 115 (26.0%). The ingested poison was most frequently accessed from the patients’ homes, 243 (55.0%), followed by purchases from local shops, 159 (36%). The median duration of admission was 24 hours. Of all the cases, 23 (5.2%) were admitted to intensive care units (ICU) requiring mechanical ventilation. Most of the cases admitted to the ICU were aluminum phosphide-poisoned patients. The majority of deaths (43 of 78) were due to metal phosphides. From the multivariate logistic regression analysis, altered level of consciousness on hospital arrival, metal phosphide poisoning, and no laboratory result as a part of the diagnosis process or investigation of the extent of toxicity were found to be significantly associated with the likelihood of poor treatment outcome. Conclusion The majority of the poisoning cases were females. The most common reasons for the intent of self-poisoning were dispute-related, mainly family disharmonies, followed by psychiatric conditions. The poisoning agents were mostly obtained from households. Organophosphate compounds and metal phosphides were the first and the second most frequently encountered poisoning agents, respectively, and it was noted that the later ones were responsible for most of the fatal cases. Of the pharmacologic interventions, atropine was the only agent regarded as an antidote. The most commonly employed agent for supportive treatment was cimetidine followed by maintenance fluids, while gastric lavage was the only GI decontamination method used among others. The fatality rate of poisoning in this study was found to be much higher than in other similar studies. Impaired consciousness upon hospital arrival, metal phosphide poisoning, and no involvement of laboratory investigation were found to significantly associate with the likelihood of death. Generally, the results dictate the need for the design and implementation of strategies to create awareness, prevent, and manage poisoning incidences in the community.

Funder

University of Gondar

Publisher

Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Reference29 articles.

1. Global Epidemiology of Acute Poisoning with an Emphasis to Ethiopia: Systematic Review.;ET Mariam;Int J Pharm Sci & Scient Res.,2016

2. 2021. Chemical Safety and Health: Prevention and management of cases of poisoning;WHO;Accessed on,2022

3. The global burden of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides 2006–15: Systematic review;EJ Mew;J Affect Disord,2017

4. Pattern of acute poisoning in Al Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia.;ZAE Abd-Elhaleem;Am J Clin Exp Med,2014

5. Suicide attempts and ideation among adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.;D Kebede;Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl,1999

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3