1Department of Pharmacology, M.L.N. Medical College, Allahabad, UP.
2Department of Forensic Medicine, M.L.N. Medical College, Allahabad, UP.
3Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly, UP.
4Hospital Administration, AIIMS, New Delhi.
5Department of Pharmacology, M.L.N. Medical College, Allahabad.
During one-year study period, out of a total 15,300 admissions 368 suspected poisoning cases (SPC) were admitted (prevalence rate 2.40%) to the SRN Hospital attached to MLN Medical College, Allahabad. Of these 116 patients died due to suspected poisoning deaths (SPD). SPC: SPD ratio was 3.17:1. Adolescents and young individuals were mostly involved in SPC (76.89%) as well as in SPD (77.61%) cases. M: F ratio in SPC was 2.34:1 and SPD 2.22:1. Out of 258 (70.11%) males in SPC 142 (38.59%) were married whereas out of 110 (29.89%) females 64 (17.39%) were married. Both married and unmarried individuals were almost equally involved. A similar trend was observed in SPD cases as well. Rural-urban ratio was 1.3:1 in SPC. SPC-SPD ratio was 3.17:1.
In SPC a majority of 58.97% cases were unemployed, 84.24% cases were either high school pass or even less. 55.44% were cured and 31.52% cases expired. Rural poisoning cases took longer time compared to urban populace for their admissions. Both lower and middle class individuals were almost equally involved in SPC and SPD. Suicide (69.84%) was the commonest mode of poisoning.
Aluminium phosphide is the most common poisoning agent responsible for 128 SPC and 84 SPD. In reference to aluminium phosphide M: F ratio was 1.9: 1, a greater involvement 82.04% of younger age group 11–30 yrs, and rural: urban ratio 1.97:1, A high mortality rate was observed and death occurred even with ½ tablet of ALP. Consumption of more than 5 tablets was always fatal. Unemployed youths and housewives constitute major chunk 76.57% of ALP poisoning. Family conflicts (67.19%) and depression (14.84%) were chief precipitating factors.
