Evaluating the Necessity of a Poison Control Center in Cameroon: The Knowledge and Perception of Health Care Professionals in the Laquintinie Hospital and the Bonassama District Hospital in Douala

Abstract

Introduction: A cross sectional study was carry out on the necessity of creating a poison control center in Cameroon, by evaluating the knowledge and perception of health care professionals in the Laquintinie hospital and the Bonassama District hospital in Douala, based on a 2 years (2014 to 2015) record files reviewed of poison victims. Materials: A4 white sheets, Respiratory mask, Disposable gloves, A data analyzing tool (Microsoft Excel 2010), ruler and pens, Questionnaire. Method: A Questionnaire was used in data collection to access the knowledge of health care professionals on poisoning and poison control center in regard to proper poison management (group I). To further evaluate group I, a 2 years poison victims files (records) were reviewed at the level of the emergency and paediatric units. The data obtained were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and the results were displaced on frequency tables, and in percentages and figures. Results: The perception and knowledge of the 66 Health care professionals accessed in the study; revealed that none of the participants had a formal training on poison management and none of the hospitals involved, had established poison management guidelines. 23,182 patients’ files were reviewed; of which 245 files were recorded as poison victims: 62% (152) as voluntary, 38% (93) as involuntary, 4% (10) death case recorded inclusive; with a prevalence of 1% been observed for poisoning from the sorted hospitals. Conclusion: The relative low knowledge of health care professionals on poisoning and the absence of poison management guidelines in hospitals still make poison management in Cameroon a complex issue. Cameroon is therefore highly in need for policies on poison management.