Abstract:
Background: Acute poisoning is a significant global public health concern, contributing substantially to
morbidity and mortality, particularly in low and middle income countries. Numerous studies on acute
poisoning have focused on aspects such as prevalence and causes of poisoning. However, limited
attention has been given to understanding treatment outcome and the factor influencing poor outcome in
acute poisoning cases. Therefore this study was carried out to provide updated insights into poor
treatment outcome of acute poisoning and factors influencing poor treatment outcome
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess poor treatment outcome of acute poisoning and its
associated factors among adult patients admitted in selected tertiary hospital of Addis Ababa, Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, from April 2024 to August 2024.
Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study design was conducted on poor treatment outcome of acute
poisoning and its associated factors among patients admitted in three selected tertiary hospitals of Addis
Ababa. A total of 340 poisoned patients were included in the study. Data were collected using a structured
questionnaire and patient‟s medical record by using kobo toolbox and then exported to SPSS version 21
for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic and clinical
characteristic of the study participant. To assess the association between dependant ad independent
variables, bivariable logistic regression analysis was performed initially. Variables with a p value of less
than 0.25 in the bavariable analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model.
Goodness of fit was assessed using Hosmer-Lemeshow test.AOR and 95% CI were reported to quantify
the strength of association between dependant and independent variable. P value of less than 0.05 was
considered statistically significant.
Result: The prevalence of poor outcome in acute poisoning was 7.35% [95%CI (1.9, 2.95)] in the
multivariate logistic regression analysis organophosphate poisoning [AOR: 6.99(2.2, 19.2)] P value
0.000, participants from rural area [AOR: 6.9(3, 16)] and longer length of stay at ER [AOR: 13.3(1.5,
3.5)] were found to be independent factors associated with poor treatment outcome of acute poisoning.
Conclusion: The prevalence of poor treatment outcome in acute poisoning was 7.35% [95%CI (1.9,
2.95].this study highlights three key factors associated with poor treatment outcome in acute poisoning
cases: organophosphate poisoning, rural patient origin, and longer emergency room stay. Addressing
these factors through generating community awareness, improved health care access, and optimizing
emergency care protocols is essential for enhancing patient outcome in acute poisoning cases.
