The Epidemiology of Accidental Poisoning in an Urban Population: I. Selection of the Population Sample and Interviewing Technics

Abstract

An attempt was made to study the prevalence and characteristics of accidental poisoning in an urban population. The method of approach is that of direct interviews with members of the families of 2% of the population of Syracuse, New York. Age, sex, socioeconomic area of residence and family size of the study population were examined. While the sample population is not identical in all features with that of the total city, it seems to be reasonably representative. The variations observed seem likely to be due to the time (8 years) between collection of the census data and selection of the study population. The data presented describe the methods used and the characteristics of the sample population selected. Data concerning the prevalence of accidental poisoning and the characteristics of children with repeated episodes of poisoning will be presented in subsequent publications.