INTOXICACIÓN POR EXPOSICIÓN A PLAGUICIDAS EN TRABAJADORES AGRÍCOLAS ATENDIDOS EN LA EMERGENCIA DEL HOSPITAL Dr. VERDI CEVALLOS BALDA

Abstract

agrochemicals are chemical substances that are frequently used in agriculture and that have the purpose of maintaining and conserving the crops that this activity develops. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 200,000 people die each year from unintentional poisoning worldwide due to pesticides. In Ecuador, in 2018, there were 409 due to pesticide poisoning, with the Manabí province being the most affected, with 81 cases reported. Objective: To evaluate the intoxication due to exposure to pesticides in agricultural workers assisted in the emergency of Dr. Verdi Cevallos Balda Hospital in the period 2015-2019. Methodology: written access was requested to the clinical records of patients who participate in agricultural activities and who were treated for intoxication with agrochemicals in the HVCB emergency service during the period 2015-2019. Results: 30 cases of agrochemical poisoning were reported during the study period, in 2018 the largest number of cases was recorded in 26.7%, 97% of the patients were men, the only had primary studies, it was identified that the age Most vulnerable The group was between 26 - 45 years old with 60%. Conclusions: The male sex accounted for 97% of cases of agrochemical poisoning. The majority, that is, 73% had primary education. The age group that comprises between 26 and 45 years concentrates 60% of the poisonings. Among the chemical agents that were most related to those intoxicated, are pesticides with 56%, followed by organophosphates with 20% of cases. Among the laboratory tests we have that the determination of serum cholinesterase was only performed in 13% of the patients