Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Poisoning is an important health problem in every country of the world. Occupational exposure to industrial chemicals and pesticides, accidental or intentional exposure to household to pharmaceutical products and poisoning due to venomous animals, toxic plants and food contamination, all contribute to morbidity and mortality. The present study was emphasised to cover all the aspects of poisoning. Objective: The main objectives of the study is to study the prevalence of poisoning at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and hospital and to analyze the patients admitted to the poison centre. Method: The study carried out in the period of 6 months observational retrospective and prospective both. The patient included in retrospective and prospective study were those who had undergone exposure to poison either by household or agricultural, pesticides, stings bite, snake bite, industrial toxins, toxic plants, drugs or miscellaneous products. Results: In Poisoning exposure was grouped in to 26 toxic substance with one unknown group. In this study the number of poisoning exposures were more in male (56%) over female (44%). Total of 50 patients was hospitalized due to acute poisoning in the hospital. The majority of incidence in male was from the age group of 20-40 years. The present study revealed that self-poisoning was more common type of poisoning. Accidental exposures were more common in male than in female. Conclusion: Acute poisoning is a common and urgent medical problem in our country. The mortality and morbidity due to poison can be reduced by the conducting educational programs, providing counselling services and poison information service to the people.
Keywords: Poisoning, Toxins, Occupational exposures.