Acute pesticide poisoning in Tadla-Azilal region in Morocco: Evolution and risk factors

The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile and evaluate risk factors of acute pesticide poisoning. A retrospective study of poisoning cases, declared between January 2000 and December 2008 in different sanitary structure in Tadla-Azilal, then brought together in the Moroccan Poison Control Center, was conducted. This region is characterized by an important agricultural activity and knows a frequency of poisoning raised by this toxin. During the study period, 1027 acute pesticides poisoning cases were collected. Most resulted from the province of Beni-Mellal. The average age was of patients 27.15±18.13 years. The sex-ratio (female/male) was 1.09. The suicide and the suicide attempts had presented 55.9% of the registered cases. The teenagers and the adults were the most concerned by this type of poisonings, with, respectively, 255 cases (24.8%) and 579 cases (56.4%). During the period of the study, the lethality was 3.79%. The analysis of the relative risks with regard to the prognosis for survival shows that the age, circumstances and product in cause are the main factors of death. Acute pesticide poisoning is a serious public health problem in Morocco, particularly in the region of Tadla-Azilal. Population, both rural and urban areas that, and healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential danger of pesticides to prevent diseases caused due to absorption.