Introduction: Acute poisoning is one of the most common causes of morbidity & mortality worldwide. As per WHO around 3 million poisoning cases with 220,000 deaths occur annually. Agriculture pesticides are used in Asian region for self­poisoning particularly in rural areas with high fatality and majority of pesticide exposure are seen more in middle and low income countries. Methodology: Study was conducted at Shri B M Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bijapur, Karnataka from 1st Jan 2013 to 31st Dec 2013. Data was collected from all the poisoning cases admitted & treated in the emergency department and medical ward. Results: In the present study total 494 cases included, maximum numbers of cases were due to poisoning by insecticides (41.3%) followed by snake bites (16%) & Lice powder contributed (11.7%). Maximum cases were found in the rainy season (37.4%). Suicidal poisoning was most common (70.6%) as compared other modes. Oral route was most commonly found for consumption of poison (72.5%). 61% of victims were Literates & 39% illiterates. Occupation wise, house wives contributed most (27.7%), followed by farmers (26.5). Married persons (53%) were found more than unmarried (47%). Hindus (87.9%) were more than other religion. Rural people (81.4%) were more as compared to urban. Conclusions: From the above study we can conclude that sociodemographic features of fatal and non­fatalpoisoning in Bijapur­ Maximum numbers of cases were due to poisoning by insecticides, Suicidal manner of poisoning was commonest, males were more affected than females, House wives suffered more, maximum cases were in rainy season.

Keywords: Poisoning; Insecticides; Sociodemographic Features; Manner of Death; Non­Fatal Poisoning.