Behavior of patients with exogenous poisoning in the districts of Maun and Francistown, Botswana

Abstract

A cross-sectional study from June 2009 to May 2010 was conducted with the aim of describing the behavior of patients with acute exogenous poisoning in the districts of Maun and Francistown, Republic of Botswana. The universe was formed by all patients diagnosed during the period. The sample was formed by an intentional sampling, excluding those who refused to participate in the study and considering informed consent a bioethical principle. A document review was used for data collection. The medical records were reviewed, and a survey was implemented in order to collect information. Among the main results, it was determined that 51.1% of the sample were females, 30.3% were teenagers, 39.3% was due to a suicide attempt, 60.7% of poisonings occurred at home, 69.7% of patients came into contact with the toxic product through the digestive tract, 54.3% of poisoning was due to medications. It was concluded that young females predominated in this sample, most of them with a history of somatic diseases. The most common type of exposure was suicide attempts at home, by oral intake, with a prevalence of neurological complications. It was suggested that these results were informed to the country’s leadership to facilitate the design of strategies that minimize this health problem.

Keywords

• toxicidad de medicamentos
• envenenamiento