Profile of poisoning cases at Belgaum, Karnataka: A cross sectional study Gurudut K.S.1, Assistant Professor, Gouda Hareesh S.2, Assistant Professor, Aramani Sunil C.2, Assistant Professor, Bai K.H. Manjula2, Professor & Head 1Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka. 2Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka Corresponding author: Dr. Gurudut K.S, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka. Telephone: +919886643155, E mail: ksgurudutt@rediffmail.com
Abstract According to World Health Organisation, 3 million cases of acute poisoning with 2,20,000 deaths occur annually worldwide. Of these 90% of fatal poisoning occur in the developing countries particularly among agricultural workers. According to an estimate, the number of persons who suffer from effects of poisoning in India, are day by day increasing alarmingly. The present cross-sectional study was carried out to know the pattern of poisoning cases admitted to KLE's Dr.Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, Belgaum,Karnataka, during the period from 01-10-2004 to 30-03-2004. Out of 150 cases of poisoning, maximum number of victims were in the age group 21–30 years (50.67%) and majority of the victims were males (70%). Most of the victims (80%) had used poisons with suicidal intention. Maximum cases (45%) were during the months February to May. Majority of the victims were agriculturists (72%). In our study, maximum number of cases were due to poisoning by agrochemicals (71.33%), followed by antidepressant and anti-epileptic drug consumption (13.33%). Mortality rate was 12.67%. Top Keywords Poison, Organophosphate, Organochlorine, Mortality, Suicide. Top |