Review of the demographic pattern and outcomes of acute chemical poisoning in patients in a tertiary hospital in South-western Nigeria
Keywords:
Acute Chemical Poisoning, Outcome, Demographic PatternAbstract
Introduction: Acute chemical poisoning is a public health problem especially in developing countries where there is unrestricted access to chemical products, underreporting and absence of poisoning registers. Despite its importance, there is limited information on acute poisoning among adult population in Nigeria. The study was aimed at determining the demographic pattern and short term outcomes of acute chemical poisoning in patients in a tertiary health institution in South-western Nigeria over a 2 year period.
Methodology: Records of cases of acute chemical poisoning over a 2-year period were retrieved and the following information extracted: socio-demographic data of patient, type of substance ingested, type of poisoning, reason for poisoning, intervention, and outcome of treatment.
Results: There were 58 patients with a M:F ratio of 1:1.1. The mean age was 28.53±13.47 years. The most commonly ingested chemical was organophosphate seen in 31(53.4%). Poisoning was deliberate in 43 (74.1%); 36 patients (62.1%) had atropine; 16 patients (27.6%) had gastric lavage; one patient (1.7%) was dialyzed and 2 patients (3.4%) were admitted into ICU. Mortality rate was 8.6%.
Conclusion: Deliberate acute chemical poisoning was common in young adults. Organophosphate is the most commonly ingested chemical. Government should enforce laws that that would restrict access to potentially harmful chemicals.
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