Nyandwi Ramadhan
University of Burundi, Burundi
Title: Acute intoxication cases reported in emergency unit at University Teaching Hospital of Kamenge (CHUK)
Biography
Biography: Nyandwi Ramadhan
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Burundi is a country in East Africa Region, with a population around 11 million over an area of ​​27,834 km2; without access to the sea but having a large shore on Lake Tanganyika. It is surrounded by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the west, Rwanda to the north, and Tanzania to the southeast. Health, hygiene, education and transport, are missing the necessary investments for development. There is no specialized center for intoxication management in the Burundian territory, qualified personnel and technical facilities in the poisoning management are also inadequate. On the other hand, individual or massive intoxications are frequent, especially during ceremonies, and voluntary or involuntary poisonings also exist. The overall objective of this work is to identify acute intoxications and its management at CHUK emergency department, and data of this study will be used to advocate for the implantation of at least one center for poisoning management in Burundi..
Methodology: This is a retro-prospective study of acute intoxication cases in emergency department of CHUK from June 2017 to August 2018. Data in this study have been collected from records and an interview of patients after informed consent agreement.
Findings: Preliminary results showed that from June 2017 to August 2018, 39 cases of acute intoxication were reported to the emergency services, including 9 cases of children under 6 years; with 56.4% and 43.6% of men and women respectively. The causes of poisoning were mainly food, chemicals products and drugs with 53.8%, 23.1% and 15.4% respectively. Other minor intoxication causes were gas and venom with 5.1% and 2.6% respectively. Treatment of intoxication cases was either palliative or symptomatic based on patient history.
Conclusion & Significance: Poisoning cases in Burundi need to be treated based on toxicological tests evidence however there’s neither toxicological laboratory nor qualified personnel. Symptoms of intoxication are not always recognized and treatment is inadequate, so that recommendations are made to national, regional and international body to avail at least one intoxication center.