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The occurrence and management of pediatric poisonings in Lenasia, South Africa
Author(s) -
Ahmed Ayesha Yusuf,
Moch Shirra
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1101.3
Subject(s) - environmental health , medicine , accidental , occupational safety and health , pediatrics , population , injury prevention , public health , poison control , medical emergency , family medicine , geography , nursing , physics , pathology , acoustics
Gauteng is South Africa's most populated and urbanized province. There is no local Poison Information Centre (PIC), and poisoning rates are unknown, as the failing healthcare system precludes adequate record‐keeping with regard to rate and classification of incidents. The time necessary to obtain accurate poisoning statistics through a prospective, multi‐hospital longitudinal study could leave the province underserviced for several years. It was thus decided to conduct a cross‐sectional survey in a single suburb, Lenasia (population 150 000) as a case‐study approach to establish an estimate of the occurrence and management of poisonings in this region. Self administered questionnaires were distributed to parents/guardians of children attending a random sample of creches and primary schools in Lenasia. Questions concerned the number and storage level of poisonous household substances stored, rate of ingestion of the substances by the children, management of poisoning cases and knowledge of PIC's. A total of 4530 questionnaires were handed out, 1730 (38.1%) were returned completed and 175 (10.1%) participants reported 256 cases of accidental poisoning. Medication, household detergents, rat poison, and paraffin were the most common substances ingested. There is a lack of knowledge of PIC's, and prevention and management of poisoning, suggesting there should be more public education on this issue.