Objectives: To identify child or family related risk factors for
unintentional childhood poisoning in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq and to suggest
possible causes and preventive measures.
Methods: This is an epidemiological description and a case-control study. The study was undertaken in Sulaymani ,in 2004-2005. Cases were 200 children who were admitted to the hospital for treatment of poisoning. For every case two controls were selected. Al l parents of the children were interviewed by using a questionnaire that incl uded demographic and poisoning characteristic information.
Results: Kerosene poisoning was more common among children (60%)
and most poison ing occurred inside the home (88%).
Boys (65%), and children aged 1-5 years (79%) had most poisoning than
others. Tn 75% of cases, poisonous products were accessible. Children without adult supervision and those with previous poisoning were at increased risk of poisoning (P<0.05)
Conclusion: Adequate parental supervision and safe packing, storage and disposal of potentially hazardous substances could be the most important act ivities lor the prevention of childhood poisoning. Furthem1ore, child
resistant containers for drugs and household products is one or the most
i mportant interventions in the reduction of chi ldhood poisoning
incidence.
Keywords:Poisoning, children, risk factors
