Population-based characteristics of fatal and hospital admissions for poisoning in Fiji: TRIP Project-11

Type Journal Article - Injury prevention
Title Population-based characteristics of fatal and hospital admissions for poisoning in Fiji: TRIP Project-11
Author(s)
Volume 19
Issue 5
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 355-357
URL http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/19/5/355.full.html
Abstract
This study investigated the incidence and characteristics of poisoning fatalities and hospital admissions among indigenous Fijians and Indians in Viti Levu, Fiji. Individuals with a mechanism of injury classified as poisoning were identified using the Fiji injury surveillance in hospitals system, a population-based registry established for 12 months in Viti Levu, and analysed using population-based denominators. The mean annual rates of fatalities and hospitalisations were 2.3 and 26.0 per 100 000, respectively. Over two-thirds of poisonings occurred among people of Indian ethnicity. Most intentional poisoning admissions occurred among women (58.3%) and in 15-29-year-old individuals (73.8%). Unintentional poisoning admission rates were highest among Indian boys aged 0-14 years. While over 75% of events occurred at home, the substances involved were not systematically identified. The findings indicate the need for a strategy that addresses the differing contexts across age group, gender and ethnicity, and a lead agency responsible for implementing and monitoring its effectiveness.

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