Pattern of Poisoning, Management and Antidote Availability in St. Paulo’s Specialized Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Poisoning is the contact with a substance that results in toxicity. It can be deliberate or accidental. Antidotes are substances opposing the harmful effect of poisons and are cornerstones in the management of poisoning. Availability of antidotes highly affects the effective poisoning management. To assess the poisoning management in relation to an antidote availability. A retrospective study was used to assess the practice of poisoning management and antidote availability in St. Paulo’s specialized hospital. Females are among the majority of acutely poisoned patients (50.6%) and most of the patients are in the younger age groups (32.4%). The most common type of poison is sodium hypochlorite (Berekina) (45.2%) which the most common source is household materials (48.6%). Intentional self-harm (95.4) was the common circumstance of poisoning and majority of patients improved (74.6%) after management. Low number of antidotes were available and gastric lavage and fluid resuscitation were the common management options in the absence of antidotes (61.4%) and (33%) respectively. Even though the recommended items of antidote were not available, the management pattern is good based on the outcome. It is recommended to have sufficient items of antidotes to improve the overall management practice of poisoning and the hospital organization should take the responsibility in preparing list of antidotes that should be available in the hospital and formulating guideline for poisoning management should also be considered.

Keywords:  poison, antidote, sodium hypochlorite, gastric lavage

Cite this Article

Kebebe D, Gobena M, Seelam RK. Pattern of poisoning management and antidote availability in st. Paulo’s specialized hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Research and Reviews: Journal of Toxicology. 2015; 5(3):       8–12p.