Chemical Poisoning: Prevalence, Knowledge, and Management of Commonly Encountered Types among Selected Adult Population

Chemical poisoning is a threat to the health of both children and adults in the Niger Delta region. Nevertheless, the study of the prevalence of poisoning has been undermined in Bayelsa state. Chemical poisoning remains an important health concern in Nigeria, especially in the south-south Niger Delta states which are rich in natural fuel. Information on the prevalence in the Niger Delta region is quite scarce, especially in Bayelsa state. The study investigated the risk factors, awareness, and perception of chemical poisoning, and the prevalence among residents of Amassoma and Yenagoa. A descriptive research employed systematic random sampling of 400 residents from Amassoma and Yenagoa from ages 15 years and above, by administering questionnaires and, collecting data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software utilizing ANOVA. The percentage of awareness of chemical poisoning is 28.4% and the majority of the respondents are educated at the tertiary level with a percentage of 51.5%. The female gender was more with a percentage of 51.0%. Among the signs and symptoms of chemical poisoning, nausea or stomach upset has a percentage of 74.6% being the highest percentage, and stomach cramps have a percentage of 72.9% while having a percentage of 56.7%. About 95.5% of respondents concurred to contacting qualified healthcare providers when poisoning is suspected and 93.8% agreed to keep all chemicals out of reach of children as a preventive measure. It can be concluded that the overall prevalence of chemical poisoning is quite low though used intentionally in young adults for suicide. It can also be said that there is proper awareness of the preventive measures for unintentional poisoning.