Spectrum of Drug & Chemical Poisoning in Rural Community of Sindh

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the drug and chemical poisoning in rural community of sindh. Study design: Observational study Place and Duration: Murk General Hospital and Al-Haj Suleman Roshan Hospital Tando Adam from December 2012 to November 2013. Material and Methods: 120 patients with history of acute poisoning were studied. The diagnosis of poisoning was based on history of patients and by relatives, clinical signs and symptoms, and response to therapy. The age, sex and social class were noted. Enquiry was made for the intention of poisoning as accidental, homicidal or suicidal. A pre-structured profroma was used for data collection. The data was analyzed on SP S S version 21 for windows release. A p-value = 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of subjects was 39±7.9 years. Of 120 subjects.. 74 (61.7%) were male (p=0.001). Acute poisoning was found more in male 61.7% (n=74) compared to female 38.3 %( n=46) (p-0.001). Most common acute poisoning was noted because of Tharo (Kacha Sharab) in 29.2% (n=35) followed by insecticides/organophosphates and diazepam in 24.2% (n=29) and 19.2% (n=23) subjects respectively. Undetermined poisoning agent was found most common in suicidal attempts. The reasons for poising were economical loss, marital problems, familial disharmony, and failure in love, chronic illness and social hatred. Conclusion: The present study concludes that the acute poisoning is rising to day. Mortality may be reduced by implementing rules which are already formulated on the use of these agents.