Treatment outcomes and determinants of in-hospital mortality among acute poisoning patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A multicenter retrospective study

Background Acute poisoning is a significant cause of emergency department visits and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, evidence from urban tertiary care settings in Ethiopia remains limited. Therefore, this study assessed treatment outcomes and determinants of in-hospital mortality among patients admitted to selected governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Design and Methods A multicenter retrospective chart review was conducted using medical records of all patients diagnosed with acute poisoning who presented to emergency departments between January 2021 and January 2023 and met the inclusion criteria. Among 372 records reviewed, 371 (99.7%) were eligible for analysis. Result A total of 371 patients were included. The median age was 22 years (IQR: 18–28), and 59.3% were female. Intentional poisoning accounted for 82.5% of cases. Pharmaceutical agents (56.1%) were the most common exposures, while organophosphates (11.9%) were associated with the highest proportion of deaths. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 4.3%. Mechanical ventilation was required in 5.9% of patients, and it is a marker of severe poisoning (AOR = 24.01, 95% CI: 5.49–41.96). Conclusion Acute poisoning in this urban tertiary care setting predominantly affects young adults and is largely intentional. Organophosphate poisoning and severe clinical presentations, particularly those requiring mechanical ventilation, were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Mechanical ventilation should be interpreted as a marker of severity rather than a direct determinant. Strengthening early recognition, improving emergency care capacity, and expanding mental health services are essential to improve outcomes.