Pattern of Poisoning in Rural Sri Lanka
- 1 June 1989
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in International Journal of Epidemiology
- Vol. 18 (2) , 418-422
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/18.2.418
Abstract
Hettiarachchi J (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka) and Kodithuwakku G C S. pattern of poisoning in rural Sri Lanka. International Journal of Epidemiology 1989, 18: 418–422. An epidemiology study of poisoning was done in a geographically defined area in rural Sri Lanka, a developing agricultural country. The incidence of poisoning was 75 per 100 000 population and the death rate was very high (22 per 100 000 population). Both were highest in the age group 15–34 and there were significant ethnic differences in the incidence of poisoning. Agrochemicals were responsible for 59% of all poisonings. Paraquat was the commonest poisoning agent with a high fatality rate of 68%. Use of highly toxic agents may have resulted in deaths where there was no intention to commit suicide. Strict legislation regarding the sale, distribution and storage of agrochemicals could result in the reduction of mortality and perhaps the incidence of poisoning, in developing agricultural countries.Keywords
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