Trends of Poisoning in Rural Area of South-West, Punjab

The study consists of poisoning cases admitted in the emergency department of Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR), Bathinda, situated in rural area of South-West Punjab. Out of all 784 medico-legal cases admitted during the study period of two years (Apr 1^st, 2007 to Mar 31^s1, 2009), 95 (12.1%) cases were that of poisoning. The cases were then analyzed on various parameters to find the trends and other significant feature of poisoning in this region of Punjab.

There were 76 male and 19 female victims involved in this study and maximum cases belonged to second and third decade of life (21.1% and 43.2% respectively). Most common manner of poisoning was suicidal and their attempts (65.3%). Maximum incidences took place at home (64.2%). Most incidences of poisoning occurred between 0801-2000 hours (73.7%) and in the month of August (29.5%) Aluminium phosphide was the leading cause of poisoning (36.8%) followed by insecticides (31.6%). Maximum suicidal/attempts were reported with aluminium phosphide (56.5%) and accidental poisoning with insecticides (48.5%). ‘Out of all 95 cases admitted 70.5%o were discharged in a clinically satisfactory condition, 27.4% died and 2.1% were LAMA.