rss
Occup Environ Med 2009;66:205-210 doi:10.1136/oem.2008.040840
  • Original article

Incidence of acute pesticide poisonings in Nicaragua: a public health concern

  1. M Corriols1,
  2. J Marín2,
  3. J Berroteran2,
  4. L M Lozano2,
  5. I Lundberg3
  1. 1
    Karolinska lnstitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  2. 2
    Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
  3. 3
    Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  1. Marianela Corriols, CISTA/UNAN Leon, Campus Medico, Leon, Nicaragua; marianela.corriols.molina{at}ki.se
  • Accepted 26 September 2008
  • Published Online First 21 November 2008

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the cumulative incidence rate of acute pesticide poisoning in the year 2000 among Nicaraguan subjects over 15 years of age.

Methods: Data on pesticide exposure and health effects were assessed in a nationally representative survey. Based on self-reported cases, we estimated the 1-year incidence rate and the number of expected cases of acute pesticide poisonings in Nicaragua.

Results: Among the 3169 survey respondents, we identified 72 persons who self-reported one episode of acute pesticide poisoning in 2000. Of these, 65 cases (90%) were related to occupational exposure, five (7%) to domestic exposure and two (3%) to intentional exposure. The cumulative incidence rate/100 individuals of pesticide poisonings in Nicaragua in 2000 was 2.3 (95% CI 1.7 to 2.8). This corresponds to 66 113 cases (95% CI 51 017 to 81 210). The highest rate was found among males in rural areas, particularly among farmers and agricultural workers.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates an extremely high risk of acute pesticide poisoning in Nicaragua. Considering this, comprehensive measures should be implemented to reduce adverse health effects.

Footnotes

  • Funding: This research was supported by the PLAGSALUD Project (Environmental and Occupational Aspects of Pesticide Exposure in Central America, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization and the Danish Agency for International Development) and the Research Department of the Swedish International Cooperation Agency.

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: The Nicaraguan National Autonomous University Bioethical Committee in Leon, Nicaragua, reviewed and approved the research protocol.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF
  4. All Versions of this Article:
    1. oem.2008.040840v1
    2. oem.2008.040840v2
    3. 66/3/205 most recent

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Social bookmarking

Register for free content


Free sample
 This recent issue is free to all users to allow everyone the opportunity to see the full scope and typical content of OEM.
View free sample issue >>

Free archive
The full back archive is now available for OEM. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006, back to volume 1 issue 1.
Register to access the free archive >>

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.