PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF POISONING IN QUITE, ECUADOR - A RETROSPECTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDY

At present there are no poison center or toxicology services available in Ecuador. In preparation to begin such a service it was decided to evaluate the occurrence and causes of poisoning in Quite (population 1 .5 million). A retrospective chart review was performed for all of 199 5 of all the patients admitted to the emergency departments of 3 main public hospitals of Quite for poisoning, excluding those who had ethan ol and food poisoning. We analyzed sex, age, socio-economic status, or igin and principal causes of poisoning; 850 cases were located. Predom inant age groups seen were 15-30 y and 31-45 y. Poisoning with drugs w as the major cause with 211 cases, followed by organophosphate and pho sphorus poisoning. Principal drugs seen in poisoning were benzodiazepi ne, acetaminophen and aspirin. The occurrence of poisoning in Quite sh owed unique regional differences that will help prepare local health o fficials to establish intervention strategies for the reduction of mor bidity and mortality from poisoning. Significant efforts in both publi c and professional education will need to be made to both reduce occur rence and better treat poisonings.