Death due to Poisoning - a Medicolegal Study at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka

Abstract

Abstract:Self destruction or suicide by pesticide poisoning is a burning problem of Bangladesh. Rapid development in science and rapid growth in agricultural activities has led to the increase in the incidences of poisoning. The objective of this study was to find out the incidences and pattern of poisoning in an urban area, different aspects of poisoning along with demographic pattern, social factors related and other related perimeter, and modality to prevent loss of precious life due to poisoning. This retrospective cross sectional study was conducted among victims of poisoning at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka Morgue during the period of January 2008-December 2009. Specific identification of poisons was made from Chemical Examiner's report. All the data were later on analyzed. A total of 5114 medico legal post mortems were performed during this study period. Among these 300 (5.87%) cases were suspected poisoning. Out of these cases specific poisons were identified in 131 (43.66%) cases. Among the detected poisoning cases OPC was the commonest agent 103 (78.63%) followed by alcohol/rectified spirit 12 (9.16%) and barbiturate 7 (5.34%). No poison was detected (Negative results) in 116 (38.66%) cases and no reports from chemical examiner were received in 53 (17.66%) cases during the study period. Out of 300 victims 174 (58%) were male and 126 (42%) were female. Highest incidence of poisoning was observed in 21-30 years age group 117 (39%) followed by age group of 31-40 years 84 (28%). Most of the victims were agricultural workers/ farmers 108 (36%) followed by housewives 51 (17%). Among the study subjects 178 (59.33%) were illiterate and 198 (66%) were married. Considering manner of death 274 (91.33%) victims committed suicide by poisoning and rests 26 (8.67%) were due to accidental poisoning. To reduce poisoning cases proper emphasis should be given for safe use of pesticides and consciousness should be created among the population about poisonous compounds. Detail study regarding death due to poisoning is required to be carried out in this country.

Demographic Trends and Outcome of Acute Poisoning in a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital of Nalgonda District, Telangana

“…In the present study, majority of the cases were males and belonging to the age group of 14 to 30 years. Acute poisoning was most seen in males (58.4%) which was similar with other studies like Awasthi PM et al 9 (63.1%); Gupta P et al 8 (57.58%); Somasundaram K.V et al 10 (64.7%); Joshi M et al 5 (54.4%); Chakrabarty P et al 11 (64.2%); Ahmad M et al 12 (58%); Gupta BD et al 13 (62.1%); and Dash SK et al 14 (53%). This may be due to the family burden, society pressures and work tension.…”

Epidemiology of Acute Poisoning in Mazandaran Province, Iran

“…Among them, 2 (33.33%) cases were due to aluminum phosphate toxicity. The mortality rate of poisoning in our study (1.71%) was lower than that of other studies; Reza (2%), Ali (3%), Hossain (3%) [19], Moazzam (2.2%) [20], Ahmad (5.87%) [21], Rahman (7.06%) [22], Wan Li et al (2.9%) [23], Bari et al (5.1%) [24], and Montazer et al (30.76%) [25]. The lower fatality rate in the present study may be due to poisoning trend changes in our region, compared with other places and different poisoning patterns.…”

Trend of fatal poisoning in Kanpur: a two year autopsy based study

“…The present study findings are similar with most of the studies done in this field but few studies have some variation is also noted. 6,[13][14][15][16][17]19,[20][21][22] The incidence of death due to poisoning among all unnatural death shows marked variation, the lack of uniformity may be depends on variety of factors such as urban or rural area, some part of our country where the farmer used very toxic pesticides shows marked mortality, availability of good medical facility, awareness and strict regulation on sale of poisonous substance also play an important role. As we seen in the Comparison table the incidence of death due to poisoning ranges between less than (4%) to some study particularly in Punjab region as high as (26%) and this type of trends not only common in our country but also seen in south Asian countries.…”

“…Male victim 367 (63.1%) outnumbered female 215 (36.9%) as males lead a more stressful life than female due to family responsibilities. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Maximum numbers of cases (32.2%) were in the age group 21-30 years due to the fact that at this period they are by nature more emotional, aggressive, intolerant and irrational. 14,15,19,21 Married outnumbered 413 (71%) single 142 (25%), because after marriage economic problem of family results in frequent quarrels and familial disharmony leading to increased stress.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Maximum numbers of cases (32.2%) were in the age group 21-30 years due to the fact that at this period they are by nature more emotional, aggressive, intolerant and irrational. 14,15,19,21 Married outnumbered 413 (71%) single 142 (25%), because after marriage economic problem of family results in frequent quarrels and familial disharmony leading to increased stress. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Maximum numbers (27.6%) of victims were educated up to high school level.…”