Organophosphate pesticide poisoning in 50 Ethiopian patients

Ethiop Med J. 1991 Jul;29(3):109-18.

Abstract

Organophosphate pesticide poisoning in 50 patients treated at the Tikur Anbessa Hospital over a period of 6 years is described. Most of the cases were attempted suicide (94%). The majority of the patients presented with the typical clinical features of Parasympathetic overactivity. Atropine was the mainstay of treatment. Mortality from organophosphate pesticide poisoning was 20%. There is a strong need to device a national system of control of pesticides and educate the public about the dangers of pesticides.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atropine / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gastric Lavage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organophosphate Poisoning*
  • Poisoning / epidemiology*
  • Poisoning / psychology
  • Poisoning / therapy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data*
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Atropine