Pattern of acute adult poisoning at Tikur Anbessa specialized teaching hospital, a retrospective study, Ethiopia

Acute poisoning continues to be an important public health problem. Medical records of 116 adult patients presented to Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Females outnumbered males. Mean age was 21 years. Most (96.5%) were intentional self-harm poisonings. Household cleansing agents were the leading causes of poisoning (43.1%) followed by organophosphate (21.6%) and phenobarbitone (10.3%). Loss of consciousness, vomiting and epigastric pain were the common presenting features accounting 46.2%, 23.8% and 22.5%, respectively. A total of 13(11.2%) patients had already known mental illness and 12 of them poisoned by using their own medications. Among 65 patients who reported their reason of poisoning, temporary quarrel (57%) and emotional disturbance (26%) were frequently cited. The case fatality rate was 8.6%. Death was most occurred by organophosphate (5/25) and phenobarbitone poisoning (3/12). Awareness on proper handling of chemicals and prescribed agents should be forwarded to users of these agents. Majority of patients poisoned for intentional self-harm purposes so that linkage of suicidal patients to appropriate mental health service is recommended. The availability of psychiatry consultation in the hospital is also recommended.