Dong_2001_Int.J.Occup.Environ.Health_7_333

The objective of this study was to examine current organophosphate usage in Zimbabwe A cross-sectional descriptive study was done to determine the trends in admissions for organophosphate poisonings in an urban Zimbabwe hospital from 1995 to 2000 Variables such as sex age season geographic area and intent were examined In 183,569 records 599 cases of organophosphate poisoning were found Organophosphate poisonings increased by 320 over the six years The male and female admissions rates were similar 48 vs 52 82 of the patients were less than 31 years old Suicide was the predominant reason for poisoning 74 Of admissions of children under the age of 10 62 were due to accidental ingestion Mortality from organophosphate poisonings was 8.3 over the six years Organophosphate poisoning is increasing rapidly In the background of this alarming trend is the physical mental and social state of a Zimbabwean society wrought with hardships