POISONING AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Background: Poisons are chemical substances which produce harmful effects on the body. About 0.3 million people die annually from poisoning. Poisons are produced by animals, plants, microorganisms and by food contamination. Poisoning is a global public health problem, especially in children and teenagers and systems ought to be in place for its management by healthcare providers. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to document the mode, knowledge of antidotes and management of poisoning by healthcare providers in selected community pharmacies and hospitals in Lagos state. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected using questionnaires administered to 112 providers in selected community pharmacies and hospitals in Lagos state. Obtained data were collated and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results were presented as frequency tables and charts. Results: A response rate of 85.7 % was achieved. The most common mode of poisoning was accidental (89 % and 68 % among pharmacists and physicians respectively) and the highest incidence was among children 0 - 5 years (41.5 % and 48.3 % among pharmacists and physicians respectively). Management was mainly via gastric decontamination with activated charcoal in pharmacies and supportive care in the hospitals. Knowledge and availability of antidotes and management of poisoning was poor. Conclusion: Management of poisoning was generally inadequate and the importance of a poison control centre recognized. The establishment of poison control centres in healthcare facilities and the organization of update lectures for healthcare providers will go a long way to improving poisoning management in the state.