Title of article :
Epidemiological and sociocultural assessment of childhood poisonings
Author/Authors :
Kazanasmaz, Halil Harran University Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics - Sanliurfa, Turkey , Kazanasmaz, Özlem Harran University Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics - Sanliurfa, Turkey , Çalık, Mustafa Harran University Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatric Neurology - Sanliurfa, Turkey
Abstract :
Objectives:Poisoningoccurringinchildhoodstillcontinuestobeanimportantpublichealthissue.Theaimofthestudyistosocio-demographicallyandclinicallyexaminepoisoningcasesconsultedtoemergencydepart-ment.Methods:Thefindingsof121patientsbetween theages of1 monthand17years consultingtothepediatricemergencydepartmentwiththesuspicionofpoisoningwereexaminedretrospectivelyinthestudy.Results:Themeanageofthepatientswas6.60 ±5.70(min-max:0–17)yearsand49.6%ofthepatientsweremaleand50.4%werefemale.Themostcommoncausesofpoisoningwerecorrosivechemicalsin35patients(28.9%),poisonousanimalsin24patient's(19.8%)andprescriptionmedicationsin24patients(19.8%).While103(85.1%)ofthecaseswereexposedtothefactoraccidently,18ofthecases(14.9%)hadattemptedsuicide.Themeanmonthlyfamilyincomelevelsofaccidentlypoisonedcasesweresignificantlyhigherthanthosewhoattemptedsuicide(p < 0.001).Thefather'seducationlevelwaslowerincaseswhowerepoisonedbysuicideattemptthaninthosewhowereaccidentlypoisoned(p < 0.001).Conclusion:Poisoningrates inchildhoodandvarieties of factorsdifferentiate among theregions.The rateofpoisoningcasesduetopoisonousanimalswasfoundtobequitehighintheregionwherethisstudywascarriedout.Inaddition,thestudyshowedthatpoisoningratesduetosuicideattemptinchildrenoffamilieswithlowincomeleveland/orfather'seducationlevelhaveincreased.
Keywords :
Suicide , Poisoning , Epidemiology , Childhood
Journal title :
Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine
