Fatalities By Poisoning In Mthatha Area Of South Africa

Abstract

Background Poisoning is a common method of committing suicide in this region of South Africa. Females generally ingest poisons but it is increasingly becoming common with males too. Objective To study the incidence of poisoning fatalities in Mthatha area of South Africa. Methods This is a record review of autopsies carried out in Umtata (Mthatha) General Hospital Mortuary the teaching hospital of Walter Sisulu University Medical School. Results There were 10 230 unnatural deaths between 1993 and 2005. Of them 161 (1.6%) were deaths due to poisoning. There is an increase from 2.5% in 1993 to 13.7% in 2004. The highest (17.4%) was in 2001, and the least in 1993 & 1994. About two-thirds (66%) were males. More than half (51.5%) were in the 11 and 30 year of age group. Conclusion There is an increasing trend in fatalities due to poisoning in Mthatha area of South Africa.