Analysis of related factors of acute intoxication of fishermen induced by hydrogen sulfide gas mixture and effect of early intervention on prognosis

Abstract

Objective To analyze related factors of acute intoxication of fishermen induced by hydrogen sulfide gas mixture in the fish tank, so as to make early intervention accordingly, reduce incidence,mortality and shorten average hospitalization days, and increase cure rate. Methods One hundred and sixteen cases (the intervention group) of acute intoxication induced by hydrogen sulfide gas mixture in the fish tank were admitted into the hospital for treatment from February, 2005 to November, 2010. Statistical analyses were made on the age of victims, intoxication time, knowledge on the prevention of acute intoxication by hydrogen sulfide gas mixture, knowledge of self- aid following intoxication, exposure time, the time from intoxication to treatment, hospitalization days and prognosis. One huudred and thirty - two cases of acute hydrogen sulfide gas mixture intoxication of fishermen admitted into the hospital without early intervention from January, 2002 to January, 2005, were used as the control group. Results The age of the 116 patients was from 18 to 57 years old, with an average of 28. 3 ± 3.9. Incidents of intoxication mainly occur from August to November every year. Statistical analyses indicated that 45 cases ( 38. 7% ) lacked in prevention and self - aid knowledge.Sixteen were collective intoxication cases (34. 5% ), with exposure time being 10- 60 ( 21.7 ± 5.5 ) min, and the time interval from intoxication to clinical treatment being 0. 3 h-5.0 h [ ( 1.5 ± 0. 2) h on the average].Conscience recovery time of the patients in the intervention group was (4. 13 ± 1. 57 ) h, following HBO treatment. The number of HBO treatment was 5. 37 ± 2. 54 and average hospitalization days were 1-8 (2. 6 ±3.4). Treatment results of the control group showed that conscience recovery time of the patients in the control group was (7. 25 ± 1. 30) h, following HBO treatment. The number of HBO treatment was 11.21 ± 3.75 and average hospitalization days were 3-15 (6. 1 ± 3. 5 ). And significant statistical differences could be noted,when comparisons were made between the two groups (P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Most fishermen were lacking in the knowledge on the prevention and self-aid of acute intoxication by hydrogen sulfide gas mixture. Hot weather and poor ventilation in the fish tank were the main causes of acute intoxication. Early intervention could increase cure rate and shorten average hospitalization days considerably. Key words: Fish tank; Hydrogen sulfide gas mixture; Acute intoxication; Early intervention