Poison Centers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: History, Scope of Services, and Strengths and Weaknesses as Public Healthcare Providers: Poison Centers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Kamal  Hadidi; Nathir  Obeidat; Abdelkader Battah; Suhad khasawneh; Mazen   Malkawi; Khairat Battah; Akram  Alhadidi; Basel Massad; Balqees  Bani Hamad; Aya   Masadeh; Hanna  Matarweh

doi:10.35516/jmj.v58i2.1740

Authors

Kamal Hadidi Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, the University of Jordan, *Jordan Drug and Poison Information Center-Jordan University Hospita
Nathir Obeidat Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, the University of Jordan
Abdelkader Battah Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, the University of Jordan.
Suhad khasawneh Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, the University of Jordan, *Jordan Drug and Poison Information Center-Jordan University Hospita
Mazen Malkawi World Health Organization (WHO), Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, Center for Environment Health Action-Amman, Jordan
Khairat Battah Department ofPathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University-Al-Salt, Jordan
Akram Alhadidi MD, Graduates of School of Medicine, the University of Jordan.
Basel Massad MD, Graduates of School of Medicine, the University of Jordan.
Balqees Bani Hamad MD, Graduates of School of Medicine, the University of Jordan.
Aya Masadeh MD, Graduates of School of Medicine, the University of Jordan.
Hanna Matarweh MD, Graduates of School of Medicine, the University of Jordan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/jmj.v58i2.1740

Keywords:

poison centers; services; poisoning; data harmonization and standardization; Eastern Mediterranean countries

Abstract

Background: Poison centers (PCs) have been established in some of the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) countries; however, their history, scope of services, and data collection parameters have not been studied. Aims: To investigate whether PCs in the EMR offer standardized and harmonized services compared to PCs in developed countries.
Methods: Required data were extracted from a questionnaire that was distributed to EM poison centers and from articles published during 1995–2021 by PCs in the EMR.
Results: A total of 23 PCs were found in 14 of the 22 EMR countries, the majority of which shared data entry of the main poisoning parameters. Scope of services was documented by 10 PCs in EMR countries. Only three poison centers, located in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, provided all of the WHO-listed main services, while four PCs provided poison information and laboratory services and the rest provided one or two services. Conclusion: Only 63% of EMR countries have a poison center, and most of them lack functions and services at the level needed as public health providers. Collaboration among PCs in EMR countries is required to determine weaknesses, strengths, and challenges.

Poison Centers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: History, Scope of Services, and Strengths and Weaknesses as Public Healthcare Providers