Clinical outcomes of acute poisoning among hospitalized patients/ emergency room at Northern Ethiopia: Prospective Observational Study
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Date
2023-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: In developed countries mortality rate from poisoning is 1-2% whereas about 17%
of hospital admissions are due to acute poisoning in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, studies
indicate variable mortality rate across the regions and shows an increasing trend.
Objective: To assess clinical outcomes of acute poisoning among hospitalized patients/
emergency room at Northern Ethiopia.
Method: Health facility-based prospective observational study was conducted from September
20, 2022 to March 10, 2023 among patients admitted with acute poisoning at Kuyu, Fitche, Dera
and Muka Turi Hospitals. A convenient sampling method was employed to identify participants.
The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Linear
and Cox regression were performed to identify predictors of length of hospital stay and mortality
or complication, respectively. Then statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05.
Result: Of 208 (58.2% female) victims, the majority 125 (60.1%) of them were urban residents.
The mean (SD) age of the victims was 27.11 ± 14.20 years while the prevalence rate of acute
poisoning was 13.6%. Among the victims, 49 (23.6%) have mixed clinical presentations
involving gastro intestinal tract and central nervous system. In hospital complication was
developed among 71(34.1%) of victims while the fatality rate of poisoning was 39(18.75%). The
hazard of mortality was increased by 11.66 among victims exposed to rodenticide (AHR=11.665;
95% CI: 1.372, 99.164) as compared to alcohol. Length of hospital stay (LOS) is reduced by
1.67 times for victims arrived hospital before 2 hours (β = -1.67; 95%CI: -2.98, -
0.396).Similarly, patients who did not develop in hospital complication had 12.8 times shorter
LOS (β= -12.818; 95%CI: -23. 807,-1.828).Moreover, the hazard of in hospital complication was
increased by 11.64 times among victims suffered with carbon monoxide poisoning
(AHR=11.642; 95%CI: 1.238, 109.515).
Conclusion: This study found that significant clinical outcomes were observed. These impacts
were related mainly with poisoning agents such as rodenticide, aluminum phosphate and carbon
monoxide. Thus, hospitals should have to assure with caution among health professionals and
community on the impacts posed by these fatal chemicals.
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Keywords
Acute Poisoning, Clinical feature, outcomes, Northern Ethiopia.