National Poisons Information Centre in a developing Asian country--the first year's experience.
The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) in Sri Lanka was established in January 1988. It received 353 enquiries in the first year of which 37% concerned pesticide poisoning. More than half the instances were of self-poisoning; consistent with the high suicide rate in the island. Over a quarter of poisoning episodes were among 19-25 year olds. Follow-up of enquiries showed 31 (9%) deaths. Collaboration with developed countries helped in the formation of the NPIC, fulfilling a long felt need among doctors in the island.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007253:Information Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning; D013188:Sri Lanka