title: Pattern of organophosphorous poisoning: a retrospective community based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pesticide poisoning is very common in Nepal. Hospital based studies from various parts of Nepal have shown that poisoning with organophosphorus compounds is the most common type of poisoning. Current study is undertaken to see the pattern of organophosphorus poisoning and to identify the common risk factors among the cases. If the risk factors are modifiable, attempts in addressing the risk factors and decreasing the likelihood of poisoning will certainly be fruitful in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with organophosphorus poisoning.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the risk factors of organophosphorus poisoning which is major public health problem in Nepal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community based retrospective study of 75 cases of organophosphate poisoning who were brought to the emergency department of Dhulikhel hospital over the period of 3 years. Basic information was collected from hospital records and home visits were made to study the risk factors. Data were collected through interviews of the study population and their family members using a pre-designed questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study 75 cases and their families were interviewed of which there were 59% males and 42% females (M/F ratio of 1:1.4). The majority (40%) of the poisoning cases were in the age group 25-34 years. Lower literacy level showed positive association with the incidence of poisoning. Occupation wise vast majority (80%) of the cases were engaged in agricultural work. Suicidal attempts by ingesting organophosphate compounds were high in farmers and females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, majority of the poisoning were attempts of intentional self harm. Agriculture workers and females are high risk groups and may be associated with the fact that they have easy access to the poison. Interventions directed towards health education, counseling, and enforcement of laws restricting the availability and use of harmful pesticides may help in reducing such events in future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal. jagadish_chataut@yahoo.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chataut
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Adhikari
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Marahatta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D062025:Organophosphate Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011634:Public Health; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds