Table 5 Specific description of agents involved in poisoning cases reviewed
From: Pattern of acute poisoning at two urban referral hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia
Toxic agent | Frequency n (%) |
|---|---|
Narcotic drugs (n = 3) | |
Amphetamines | 2 (66.7) |
Gluea | 1 (33.3) |
Plants (n = 19) | |
Unspecified plants | 14 (93.7) |
Elephant ear plantb | 5 (26.3) |
Household chemicals (n = 44) | |
Disinfectants | 19 (43.2) |
Cleaning agents | 15 (34.1) |
Personal care products | 8 (18.2) |
Food additives | 2 (4.6) |
Animal/Insect bites (n = 60) | |
Snake | 53 (88.3) |
Bee | 4 (6.7) |
Wasp | 2 (3.3) |
Scorpion | 1 (1.7) |
Pharmaceuticals (n = 128c) | |
Analgesics | 56 (43.8) |
Antibiotics | 20 (15.6) |
Unspecified drugs | 18 (14.6) |
Antipsychotics | 7 (5.5) |
Nutrition supplements | 6 (4.7) |
Anticonvulsants | 6 (4.7) |
Antimalarial drugs | 6 (4.7) |
Anti-retroviral drugs | 4 (3.1) |
Antihistamines | 2 (1.6) |
Family planning pills | 1 (0.8) |
Antihypertensive drugs | 1 (0.8) |
Anti-Tuberculosis (TB) drugs | 1 (0.8) |
Pesticides (n = 187) | |
Unspecified organophosphates | 97 (51.9) |
Insecticides | 76 (40.6) |
Rodenticides | 14 (7.5) |
Other agents (n = 142) | |
Kerosene | 69 (48.6) |
Carbon monoxide | 26 (18.3) |
Acids | 23 (16.2) |
Construction chemicals | 11 (7.8) |
Spirit of salt | 6 (4.3) |
Formalin | 3 (2.1) |
Diesel | 1 (0.7) |
Car radiator cooler | 1 (0.7) |
Brake fluid | 1 (0.7) |
Silica gel | 1 (0.7) |