Poisoning Among Children at Jenin District

Poisoning is any unwanted effect on human body that can result due to exposure to natural or synthetic substances. Poisoning is highly related to the public awareness and the correct handling of these poisoning substances. This study was conducted to spot the light on the poisoning problem, mainly among children with an overall objective was to decrease the morbidity and mortality rates of children due to poisoning through better understanding of the causes, symptoms, and management of poisoning cases. The study was conducted on poisoning cases that were presented to the emergency room of Jenin Governmental Hospital and admitted to the pediatric unit during the period of January 2000 to August 2002. A total of 127 poisoning cases, up to 14 years old, were presented to Jenin Hospital during the study period. The results showed that the majority of cases were presented with mild to moderate poisoning symptoms, 74% of the cases aged from 1-5 years old, predominantly male. Most of the poisoning cases (85%) occurred at home and resulted from oral poisoning and with symptoms of digestive system poisoning. The majority of the poisoned cases were due to chemical products including pesticides and petroleum materials mainly kerosene. Our findings strongly indicate a lack of public awareness about handling of chemical materials (storage, labeling and first aid in case of poisoning). Carelessness and lack of parental knowledge might be one of the main factors that led to most of the poisoning cases, house was not calming oases in Palestine. Therefore, childproofing home and educational programs from the Ministry of Health and other Non-Governmental-Organizations could be the most effective prevention methods to decrease morbidity and mortality from accidental poisoning in children. In addition, the establishment of poison control center may have an essential role in controlling the poisoning problem.