Risk Factors For Unintentional Childhood Poisoning

Objectives: To identify child or family related risk factors for unintentional childhood poisoning in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq and to suggest possible causes and preventive measures. Methods: This is an epidemiological description and a case-control study. The study was undertaken in Sulaymani ,in 2004-2005. Cases were 200 children who were admitted to the hospital for treatment of poisoning. For every case two controls were selected. All parents of the children were interviewed by using a questionnaire that included demographic and poisoning characteristic information. Results: Kerosene poisoning was more common among children (60%) and most poisoning occurrcd inside the home (88%). Boys (65%), and children aged 1-5 years (79%) had most poisoning than others. In 75% of cases, poisonous products were accessiblc. Children without adult supervision and those with previous poisoning were at increased risk of poisoning (P 0.05) Conclusion: Adequate parental supervision and safe packing, storage and disposal of potentially hazardous substances could be the most important activities for the prevention of childhood poisoning. Furthermore, child resistant containers for drugs and household products is one of the most important interventions in the reduction of childhood poisoning incidence.