HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS POISONING ADMISSIONS IN ZIMBABWE MAIN URBAN CENTERS

1 A retrospective analysis to evaluate the epidemiology of poisoning b y household chemicals based on admissions at Zimbabwe's six main urban hospitals over a 10-year period (1980-1989) was performed. 2 A total of 1192 household chemicals poisoning cases were recorded, and this co nstituted 20% of all poisoning cases (6018) recorded during the study period. 3 The 0-5 year age group constituted the majority of cases (61 .3%), then the 16-25 and 26-30 year age groups accounting for 11% and 5.2% respectively, 4 The sex distribution showed that 43.7% were femal es. 5 Most incidences were accidental (66.8%). Suicides and/or parasui cides accounted for 19%. 6 Mortality was recorded at 13% and most of t he deaths were suicides. 7 Paraffin (Kerosene) was the most common poi soning agent accounting for 68% of the cases, This was followed by rat poisons (5.8%), bleaches (5.1%) and caustic soda (3.3%). 8 The incide nce of poisoning with household chemicals could be reduced by health e ducation directed to parents emphasising the importance of safe storag e of paraffin and other household chemicals, and by legislation to sto p retailers selling paraffin for domestic use in second-hand container s