Population-based characteristics of fatal and hospital admissions for poisoning in Fiji: TRIP Project-11.
This study investigated the incidence and characteristics of poisoning fatalities and hospital admissions among indigenous Fijians and Indians in Viti Levu, Fiji. Individuals with a mechanism of injury classified as poisoning were identified using the Fiji injury surveillance in hospitals system, a population-based registry established for 12 months in Viti Levu, and analysed using population-based denominators. The mean annual rates of fatalities and hospitalisations were 2.3 and 26.0 per 100 000, respectively. Over two-thirds of poisonings occurred among people of Indian ethnicity. Most intentional poisoning admissions occurred among women (58.3%) and in 15-29-year-old individuals (73.8%). Unintentional poisoning admission rates were highest among Indian boys aged 0-14 years. While over 75% of events occurred at home, the substances involved were not systematically identified. The findings indicate the need for a strategy that addresses the differing contexts across age group, gender and ethnicity, and a lead agency responsible for implementing and monitoring its effectiveness.
Section of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, , Auckland, New Zealand.
Roshini
R
Peiris-John
Berlin
B
Kafoa
Iris
I
Wainiqolo
Ravi Krishnan
RK
Reddy
Eddie
E
McCaig
Shanthi N
SN
Ameratunga
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult