Suicidal Poisoning in Relation to Educational and Socio-Economical Status - A Perspective from Kashmir Valley.

Abstract

Acute poisoning is common cause of admissions in all hospitals worldwide. It contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. We conducted a study to understand the significance of education, socio economic class and occupation to the incidence of poisoning in Kashmir valley. In our study, we compared parameters like age, sex, educational status, occupation and socio- economic status in poisoning cases admitted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Shrinagar, for a year.

The poisoning as per our study was more prevalent in youth in second and third decade of life, forming a sizeable component of cases. Majority of cases in our study belonged to rural areas of the region, unemployed and facing financial problems at home, which acted as a trigger factor for consuming poisons. The most common age group affected by poisoning is school going students which is an alarming concern. Among school going population, girls comprise a majority. When considering marital status, unmarried group have significant bearing on number of poisoning cases registered in the study as this group deals with stress of unemployment, psychological stress from family, love affairs etc. Moreover among females, housewives comprised majority of study population. The data obtained through statistical analysis using Chi Square and Fisher test revealed that intra venous drug abusers were mostly males, from urban areas of the valley, belonging APL (Above Poverty Line) group.