Precautionary Measures taken by Caregivers against Accidental Childhood Poisoning in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria

Background: Accidental childhood poisoning constitutes one of the most vital challenges of child health in contemporary times. It is a major public health issue worldwide. Many childhood poisoning episodes are avoidable but measures to prevent poisoning are usually overlooked by caregivers. Many deaths and disabling complications in children following poisoning could be prevented if more attention were given to implementing preventive measures at home. The strategies undertaken by caregivers (if any) to prevent accidental childhood poisoning in their young children is thus worth evaluating.

Aim: To assess the precautionary measures taken by caregivers and determine factors that influence the precautionary measures against accidental childhood poisoning among caregivers in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria.

Subjects and Methods: The study subjects included 632 caregivers who brought their under-five children to Well Baby/Immunization Clinics of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and the Central Hospital, Benin City in Edo State and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba and Central Hospital, Warri in Delta State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their biodata, types of potential poisons present in the home, the container for storage, where kept and precautionary strategies adopted by caregivers in order to prevent accidental childhood poisoning.

Results: The common precautionary measures adopted by caregivers to prevent childhood poisoning include keeping household cleaning agents [bleaches (56.6%), detergent (54.1%)] and medicines (65.7%) out of the sight of their children as well as ensuring that these poisons [bleaches (57.6%), detergent (55.1%) and medicines (64.1%)] are above shoulder height. It is important to note, however, that caregivers indulge in risky practices like leaving the poisonous bait meant for rodents to remain on the floor for days when not eaten by the rats (44.8%) as well as leaving children below five years in the care of older children who are below 15 years (38.8%). Some caregivers (42.6%) keep potential poisons in familiar containers like soft drink bottles which is capable of attracting the children to the poisons while others (55.4%) hardly use chemicals stored in child-resistant containers which ought to help in the prevention of accidental poisoning in children. There was no significant relationship between level of education, marital status, occupation and type of apartment of caregivers on one hand and level of precautionary measures taken on the other hand.

Conclusion/Recommendation: Health education of the populace on aspects in which caregivers are deficient is necessary so as to prevent episodes of childhood poisoning. The mass media may be employed to reach a large audience in this regard.