A Study of Profile of Poisoning Cases in a Medical College Hospital in Raichur, Karnataka.

Pattern of poisoning varies from one country to another country and from one region to another region in the same country due to various reasons. The present study was conducted at Navodaya Medical college, Raichur, Karnataka, India. This study was done over a period of Two and Half years starting from 1st Jan 2011 to 30th June 2013. Total of 59 patients were studied at the level of OPD, IPD, and also during recovery or Death. The objective of the study was to know the age distribution of the patients, sex distribution of the patients, occupation of the patients, whether the poisoning occurred in a rural or urban setting, commonest type of poison and manner of poisoning, recovery of the patent or death of the patient. Among the 59 cases studied, males 33 (56%) outnumbered females 26 (44%). The commonest age group was 21-30 years (23 cases i.e 39%). The agricultural farming community 33(56%) was most commonly affected. Most of the patients 32(54%) were from rural region. Maximum patients 44(76%) were from lower economic strata of the society. The commonest poison used was Organophosphorus compounds 31(53%).The commonest manner of Death was Suicidal 39(66%) than accidental 19(32%) or homicidal poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]