Intentional versus accidental pesticide poisoning in hospitalized patients in poisoning referral center in Isfahan, Iran: A cross sectional study

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.

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), accidental, unaware poisoning (occupational, environmental, general), and an unknown type of exposure.

Patients’ information including demographic, toxicology, clinical and paraclinical were gathered and analyzed

492 patients with pesticide poisoning 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).

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 health education and focus on ýthe prevention and education of high-risk groups of suicide.