Epidemiological characteristics of paraquat poisoning and its influence on life expectancy of residents in rural area of Xuancheng, Anhui, 2011-2015

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of paraquat poisoning and its influence on the life expectancy of residents in rural area of Xuancheng, Anhui province, from 2011 to 2015, and provide evidence for development of intervention measures. Methods The surveillance data of paraquat poisoning in Xuancheng from 2011 to 2015 was analyzed, and the influence on the health of residents was evaluated according to the cause eliminated life expectancy. Results A total of 357 paraquat poisoning cases were reported from 2011 to 2015, and the male/female ratio was 1/1.08. The total incidence was 4.21/100 000 (4.00/100 000 in males, 4.43/100 000 in females), and 89.08% of the cases were caused by intentional paraquat taking, 5.88% of the cases by unintentional paraquat taking. Both the incidence of parquet poisoning and the proportion of parquet poisoning in total pesticide poisoning increased year by year. The parquet poisoning occurred in each age group, except age group 0-1 year, especially in age group 65 years. The paraquat poisoning were reported in each month. The years of life expectancy lost caused by paraquat poisoning was 0.03-0.07 year, and the life expectancy lost rate was 0.04%-0.09%. Conclusion Paraquat poisoning had a growing serious influence on the health of rural population, so effective intervention measures need to be taken to prevent the incidence of paraquat poisoning.