Characterization of poisoning cases reported by sentinel monitoring hospitals in a district of Shanghai from 2017 to 2019

Objective To understand the causes, poison types, case distribution and epidemic characteristics of poisoning cases in a region, to provide scientific basis for preventing and controlling the occurrence of poisoning accidents.

Methods Totally 473 poisoning cases treated in two sentinel monitoring hospitals from July 2017 to June 2019 were analyzed.

Results The average age of poisoning cases was (41.45±18.104) years old, most were within 20-40 age old (> 50%). The top three were the retired, the business/service staff and the unemployed. The main causes of poisoning were alcohol abuse (237 cases, 50.1%), suicide(116 cases, 24.5%), misuse of drugs(50 cases, 10.6%). There was difference of causes of poisoning between genders(χ²=72.426, P < 0.01). Among the suicide cases, females accounted for 81 cases (69.8%) and students accounted 13 cases (11.2%). 58.13% cases were sent to the hospital for poisoning treatment mainly during 7:00 pm to 2:00 am. The fatality rate was 1.08% (5 cases).

Conclusion Poison case monitoring at sentinel hospitals is very important. The health education and health intervention for vulnerable persons should be carried out to reduce the possibility of poisoning.