Treatment outcome and associated factors among patients admitted with acute poisoning in three selected tertiary hospitals in Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023

Abstract

Abstract Background: Poisoning is one of public health problem worldwide with a significant impact on developing countries. By this time there is no published multicentre study done on the outcome and associated factors of acute poisoning cases presenting to the emergency room in Addis Ababa and this study will fill the gap in this area. Objective: the aim of the study is to assess the outcome and associated factors among patients admitted with acute poisoning in three selected tertiary hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from January 2021 to January 2023. Methods: Hospital based multicentre cross sectional study design was conducted on outcome and associated factors of acute poisoning cases in 371 adult patients in three selected Addis Ababa tertiary hospitals from January 2021 to January 2023 using systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected from patient’s chart and was analysed by version 25 SPSS. Descriptive statistics like frequencies and cross tabulation was made for most selected variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis are also used to assess the association between the dependent variable and each independent variable. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. The result is presented by using number, tables, charts and graphs. Results: A total of 371 patient’s medical records were reviewed and were included in analysis. The majority participants 205 (55.3%) were in the age group of 19–34 years. More than half of the participants 220 (59.3%) were females. Most study participants 343(92.5%) took greater than one hour to arrive to ED. Medications were the most common identified 32% type of poison among the study participants. From medications paracetamol accounts for 30% (36 participants) followed by NSAIDs 12.6% (15 participants). A total of 22 patients (5.9%) required mechanical ventilation. Death was recorded in 16 (4.3%) cases. Multivariable analysis was done to identify determinant factors for adverse outcome, hence mortality was strongly associated with mechanical ventilation requirement AOR 26.310 ( %CI 5.003-138.346) P-value 0.002, type of poisoning being aluminium phosphide AOR 37.366 ( %CI 3.901-357.876) P-value 0.002 and being from rural area AOR 2.532 ( %CI 0.547-11.711) P-values 0.0235. Conclusion: The mortality rate of acute poisoning was found to be high. Residence, type of poison taken and requirement of mechanical ventilation were significantly associated. Improving access to the rural areas and providing well equipped intensive care units should be a focus for all responsible bodies. Key words: poisoning, outcome