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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Acute poisoning is a major public health problem worldwide and a common cause of patient admissions to emergency departments and intensive care units. The aim of this study was to assess the acute poisoning cases admitted to three hospitals in the Gaza Strip and to assess the need for a poison control and drug information centre in the Gaza Strip.
METHODS: All patients diagnosed with acute poisoning between 2010 and 2015 at the emergency departments of Al-Shifa Hospital, European Gaza Hospital, and Al-Nassr Paediatric Hospital in the Gaza Strip were included in this retrospective study. The cases were analysed by age, sex, admission time, and type of poison. Medical practitioners from the same hospitals were interviewed by telephone using structured questionnaires to assess the need for a poison control and drug information centre in the Gaza Strip.
FINDINGS: 3362 patients with acute poisoning were included in this study. 2622 (78%) cases were reported in Al-Shifa Hospital. Between 2010 and 2015, the number of patients with acute poisoning increased by 51%. The most common poisons were drugs (45%) and organophosphorus (32%). 214 practitioners completed the questionnaire (114 doctors, 54 pharmacists, and 46 nurses). 205 (96%) practitioners insisted on the need for a poison control and drug information centre in the Gaza Strip (p<0·0001). 185 (90%) practitioners encouraged the availability of such facility 24 h per day. Doctors were more keen to access the centre than other practitioners (p<0·0001).
INTERPRETATION: The number of cases of acute poisoning has increased in the Gaza strip since 2010. Most health-care professionals, especially doctors, highlight the need for a poison control and drug information centre in the Gaza Strip to provide immediate poisoning consultation and treatment advice. FUNDING: None.
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Language: en |