Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

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Socio-demographic Profile of Organophosphorous Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Hospital


Affiliations
1 Department of Medicine, JJM Medical College, India
2 Department of Pathology, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka, India
     

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Aim and Objectives: To study the demography, social factors, clinical severity and therapeutic outcome of organophosphorous poisoning.

Design: Descriptive study conducted over a period of six months in emergency medical wards.

Method: Seventy cases of organophosphorous compound poisoning admitted to the emergency department were evaluated in the study.

Results: Forty two (60%) were males, twenty eight (40%) were females. Mean age was 25.82 years. Fifty four (77.1%) cases were attempted suicides and sixteen cases (22.9%) were due to accidental events. Among the suicide attempts, 30 (50.55%) were male patients. The study cases included 34.28% agriculturists and 24.17% coolies.These two groups were in low socio economic status.42 patients (60%) were brought to the hospital with mild symptoms and 11(15.71%) had severe intoxication. 58 (82.85 %) patients had consumed the poison orally. In 12 (17.15%) patients it was accidental via inhalation and dermal absorption. Seven patients with severe intoxication were in an unconscious state at the time of admission and died of respiratory and neurological complication.

Conclusion: Confinement of these harmful, unsafe pesticides away from houses will reduce the easy accessibility of them for impulsive act of suicide or accidental consumption. Personal protective measures have to be undertaken to prevent accidental poisoning by inhalation and absorption. Measures like banning the most toxic organophosphorous poisoning have to be undertaken. Newer biological means of pest control would go a long way in preventing the exposure to the toxic effects of the presently used compounds.


Keywords

Organophosphorous Compound Poisoning, Suicide, Intoxication
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  • Socio-demographic Profile of Organophosphorous Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Hospital

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Authors

L. Krishnamurthy
Department of Medicine, JJM Medical College, India
K. Rohini
Department of Medicine, JJM Medical College, India
P. Shashikala
Department of Pathology, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka, India

Abstract


Aim and Objectives: To study the demography, social factors, clinical severity and therapeutic outcome of organophosphorous poisoning.

Design: Descriptive study conducted over a period of six months in emergency medical wards.

Method: Seventy cases of organophosphorous compound poisoning admitted to the emergency department were evaluated in the study.

Results: Forty two (60%) were males, twenty eight (40%) were females. Mean age was 25.82 years. Fifty four (77.1%) cases were attempted suicides and sixteen cases (22.9%) were due to accidental events. Among the suicide attempts, 30 (50.55%) were male patients. The study cases included 34.28% agriculturists and 24.17% coolies.These two groups were in low socio economic status.42 patients (60%) were brought to the hospital with mild symptoms and 11(15.71%) had severe intoxication. 58 (82.85 %) patients had consumed the poison orally. In 12 (17.15%) patients it was accidental via inhalation and dermal absorption. Seven patients with severe intoxication were in an unconscious state at the time of admission and died of respiratory and neurological complication.

Conclusion: Confinement of these harmful, unsafe pesticides away from houses will reduce the easy accessibility of them for impulsive act of suicide or accidental consumption. Personal protective measures have to be undertaken to prevent accidental poisoning by inhalation and absorption. Measures like banning the most toxic organophosphorous poisoning have to be undertaken. Newer biological means of pest control would go a long way in preventing the exposure to the toxic effects of the presently used compounds.


Keywords


Organophosphorous Compound Poisoning, Suicide, Intoxication

References