Clinical and Epidemiological Indicators of Patients Poisoned with Agricultural Pesticides during a Five-Year Period

Abstract

Background and Objective: Pesticide poisoning is one of the common causes of hospitalization and death. Since the pattern of poisoning depends on various factors such as access to different poisons, and social, economic, cultural and religious beliefs of the society, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the clinical and epidemiological indicators of patients poisoned with agricultural pesticides in Babol, northern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 316 patient files at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol by census method from 2016 to 2021. Basic and demographic information, pesticide use and clinical symptoms of patients admitted to hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences with definitive diagnosis of pesticide poisoning were investigated. Findings: The mean age of the patients was 36.52±16.35 years and 77 people (24.4%) died. Out of 316 examined patients, 206 (65.2%) were younger than 40. 185 people (58.5%) were men and 113 people (35.8%) were city residents. It was taken orally by 284 people (89.9%) and it was inhaled in 32 people (10.1%). The highest consumption time was in summer among 98 people and the lowest consumption time was in winter among 65 people. In 280 people, the cause was deliberate and suicidal use, and it was unintentional in 36 people. 90 people had a history of mental disorders. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the most cases of poisoning with pesticides are in young men and consumed orally.

Keywords

• poisoning
• pesticide
• suicide attempt
• epidemiology.