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

• Published in: Injury prevention 2013-10, Vol.19 (5), p.355-357
• Main Authors: Peiris-John, Roshini, Kafoa, Berlin, Wainiqolo, Iris, Reddy, Ravi Krishnan, McCaig, Eddie, Ameratunga, Shanthi N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Brief Report; Child; Child, Preschool; Fatalities; Female; Fiji - epidemiology; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; Patient admissions; Poisoning; Poisoning - epidemiology; Poisoning - mortality; Registries; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Suicide, Attempted - statistics & numerical data; Suicides & suicide attempts; Vitis; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1353-8047; 1475-5785
• DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040651

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.