Epidemiological profile and factors influencing severity in acute poisoning at the province of Al Hoceima, Morocco, 2013-2015

We conducted a descriptive and analytical study of 410 cases of acute poisoning collected in the province of Al Hoceima between January 2013 and December 2015. Its objectives were to describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of patients, then to identify the factors associated with severe poisoning occurrence in that province. We performed descriptive and bivariate analysis using EPI Info 7. Incidence during the study period was generally stable with an average of 33.72 cases per 100,000 population per year. The average age was 26.33 ± 14.83 years old. The Sex-ratio female to male was 1.02. Poisoning was caused mainly by gas products, food, medicines and household products. The circumstances of the poisoning were accidental in 82.38% of the cases. Acute intoxications were severe in 33 cases.A percentage of 22.73% among the cases required hospitalization. The fatality rate was 2.93% at 95% confidence interval = [1,3% - 4,6%] during the study period. Gaseous products were the leading cause of death. The identified factors of severity were household and industrial products (p-value = 0.0035), rural residency (p-value = 0.0032) and suicide attempts (p-value: 0.0003). The mandatory notification of poisoning cases to both the primary health care facilities and the private sector and the standardization of the poisoning report form are required to improve toxicovigilance in Al Hoceima and at National level. Raising the population awareness as to carbon monoxide via education and social media is also needed