A Retrospective Study of Poisoning Cases at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Southern Rajasthan.

Background: Poisoning is becoming an important health problem. Due to increased use of chemicals in industries, agriculture and domestic practices, the incidence of poisoning is increasing. Most of the deaths related to poisoning occur in developing countries. Objective: To investigate the pattern of acute poisoning cases reported to Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Method: The present retrospective study was conducted in department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Data of poisoning cases admitted during three years (January 2013- December 2015) were analyzed. A pre-structured proforma was used to gather the data from MRD of GMCH, Udaipur about demographic details like age, gender, education, occupation, residence of patient, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Diagnosis of poisoning cases was based on history and physical examination of the patient. Data were entered in MS-excel and analyzed using Epi info version 7.1.5 software. Results: 183 cases of poisoning were analyzed. Men and women were almost equal in number (51.4% male, 48.6% female). Most common age group was 20-29 years. Majority of the patients belonged to rural area (60.1%). Total 88.5% cases were suicidal poisoning cases and 11.5% were accidental case. Almost equal number of suicidal as well as accidental cases belonged to urban and rural areas. Most common poison used was Aluminium phosphide (34.4%) followed by Organophosphorus (22.4%). Conclusion: In the southern Rajasthan, the most common nature for poisoning was suicide by intentional with Aluminiun Phosphide. Awareness should be created for identification, prevention and control of poisoning based on common poisons available in an area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]