JIST

Abstract

With the progress in agricultural and industrial fields, a vast number of pesticides are available today, which on exposure produce severe toxicity. A thorough knowledge about the nature and magnitude of the problem in a particular area is essential for doctors in hospital practice to effectively manage such cases.

This retrospective study was done with regard to cases which were brought with alleged history of poisoning at the emergency department of MVJ Medical College & Research Hospital, Hosakote, Bangalore, during the period September 2009 to August 2011 with the objective of evaluating the pattern of poisoning at a tertiary care hospital, and to study the socio-demographic profile of the same.

Most of the victims of poisoning in this study consumed organophosphorus insecticide compounds for suicidal purpose, and were aged between 21-30 years, with almost equal ratio between males and females. Individuals from rural areas outnumbered the urban population. Aluminium and zinc phosphide accounted for some of the cases relating to pesticide exposure. A significant proportion of cases comprised victims who had consumed various allopathic and ayurvedic pharmaceutical preparations.