Risk Factors for Childhood Poisoning : A Case – Control Study in Baghdad

H.Baaker, Rabab

	Risk Factors for Childhood Poisoning : A Case – Control Study in Baghdad
Mustansiriya Medical Journal
Article 1, Volume 9, Issue 1, 2010, Pages 6-12
Author
Rabab H.Baaker
Abstract
Background Acute poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children all over the world. Objective:to find out the types of acute accidental poisoning (AAP) in children in Baghdad and various host and environmental factors responsible. Methods One hundred and seventy poisoning cases and hundred controls were enrolled in a case control study done in central teaching hospital for the period from 1st of Jan. 1998 to 30th of April 1998. Results Kerosene poisoning was the commonest type (56.4%) followed by drugs (23.5%) then organophosphorus insecticides (11.8%), household products (3.5%). The highest frequency was noticed at 8.00 am-12.00 noon followed by 12.00 noon – 4.00 pm. It has been found that there is no significant relationship between poisoning and sex of child, mother educational level but the followings found to be significant risk factors: age of 1-3 years followed by 3-5 years, urban residence, peak time of poisoning was during mid-morning hours and early afternoon, also order of the child (5th) besides family size (family of 4-7 members), mother's age of above 35 years, not working mother (housewife). Also it showed a relation with recurrence of poisoning in the same child (7.1%) or other sibling in the same family (16.5), being at home (86, 5%) and use inappropriate method of storing and placing poisonous materials. Conclusions and Recommendations Significant risk factors regarding younger age, larger family size, early day time occurrence and recurrence of accidents in the same family, in addition to improper storage places necessitate the need for earlier poison prevention education programs as an integral part of well child visits even before child is mobile.

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