Retrospective analysis of pesticide poisoning in rural area

Abstract

Acute pesticide poisoning is an important public health problem. This research was done for the purposes of retrospectively examining the relationships between the recorded pesticide poisonings and socio-demographic factors. This retrospective descriptive study was conducted between December 2017 and February 2018. It was exami ned that thirty-two cases presented for pesticide poisoning between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017 to the Emergency Service of the Kumluca Public Hospital. The hospital records were used to collect the research data. The χ2 test and logistic regression analysis were used, as well as descriptive statistics. It was found that 12 cases used pesticides to commit suicide, and 9 cases presented to psychiatry polycl inics after a suicide attempt. It was found that pesticide poisoning was mostly in spring. The poisonings occurred most often via the gastrointestinal tract, inhalation, skin respectively. It was found that poisoning in order to attempt suicide in women we re higher, and accidental and professional poisonings in men were higher. In the logistic regression analysis, it was found that the use of pesticides to commit suicide differed according to the gender (OR = 0.070, p < 0.05). This study revealed the existence of pesticide poisonings, and especially, suicidal attempts due to pesticides in a rural area.