A Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Cases of Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Centre of Southern Odisha
Author(s): Bibhuti Sethy, Sangeeta Das, Nivedita Karmee and Abarnita Sethi*
Abstract
Background: Poisoning is an important public health problem throughout the world. This study was conducted to study the clinico- epidemiological factors associated with poisoning and to suggest measures to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 to December 2021 in a tertiary care hospital of Southern Odisha. The study subjects were selected purposively; all in-patients with a history of exposure to any form of poison were included. The sample size was calculated using the formula Z (1- α/2) ² pq/l ² where prevalence (p) was 41%, q is 59%, Z (1- α/2) =1.96 at 95 % confidence interval and l=10%. Information was collected in a pretested predesigned semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 17. Result: A total of 102 patients of acute poisoning were included in the study. 56.9% patients were males and 43.1% were females. The most common age group involved was between 15 to 25 years (42.25%). Most of the cases of poisoning were from rural area (78.43%) and 46.1% of them were unemployed. Around 59.8% of the study participants had studied upto middle school and above. Poisoning was suicidal in majority (97.1 %) of the cases. The most common type of poison used was Organophosphorus (31.4%). Direct admission was done in 20.6 % of the cases. 61.8% of the patients were cured and discharged. Conclusion: Stringent rules should be followed regarding the sale and availability of pesticides. Peripheral health care centers should be strengthened.