INTENTIONAL VERSUS ACCIDENTAL PESTICIDE POISONING IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS IN POISONING REFERRAL CENTER IN ISFAHAN, IRAN: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Intentional or accidental pesticide poisoning is one of the major health problems in developed and developing countries. We determined the characteristics of pesticide poisoning in hospitalized patients in a referral poisoning center in Isfahan with respect to type of exposure. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Khorshid hospital affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. All patients with pesticides poisoning were evaluated. We divided reasons into four categories: suicidal intent (intentional), acci dental, unaware poi s oni ng (occupati onal, environmental, general), and an unknown type of exposure. Patients’ information including demographic, toxicology, clinical and paraclinical were gathered and analyzed Resul ts: 492 pati ents wi th pes ti ci de poi s oni ng were included in the study. Most of the patients were in the age group 20-40 years. There was a significant difference among patients with respect to the route of exposure, location of poisoning, history of suicide, and self-harming based on exposure type (P-value < 0.05). In addition, poisoning occurred more at home (P<0.0001). 63.4 of patients had no previous history of suicide (P<0.0001). The most common pesticide in both intentional and accidental poisoning was insecticide. Death had occurred 13.48 and 32 hours after toxicity in intentional and accidental groups respectively (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Regarding the high prevalence of intentional pesticide poisoning, we should take ýcomplete preventive measures with the involvement of the whole community and ýcoordination of different departments to support heal t h educat i on and f ocus on ýt he prevent i on and education of high-risk groups of suicide. © 2022, Medico Legal Society. All rights reserved.