Citation

Lall SB, Al-Wahaibi SS, Al-Riyami MM, Al-Kharusi K. East Mediterr. Health J. 2003; 9(5-6): 944-954.

Affiliation

Directorate of Environmental Health and Malaria Eradication, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, World Health Organization)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16450524

Abstract

A simple pro forma was used for a retrospective study of poisoning cases at 45 health institutions in Oman during January-December 2000. No deaths were recorded among 2009 cases of acute poisoning. A quarter of all cases (55.8% of pediatric cases) were children aged 1-4 years. The largest category (59.5%) was animal bites and stings: 25.4% undiagnosed, 19.7% scorpion stings, 7.6% bee, spider or wasp stings and 6.8% snake bites. Next highest (38.5%) was ingestion of substances: 18.2% pharmaceuticals, 8.2% food and 4.7% household products. Most drug-related cases were due to paracetamol. Suicide attempts were recorded for 6.0%. Collection of poisoning data through a central registry system is needed for the implementation and future assessment of prevention programmes.