Twenty years’ (1996–2015) trends in deaths caused by poisoning in the transkei sub-region of South Africa Meel B L Master's in HIV/AIDS Management (Stellenbosch), Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa Online published on 9 January, 2019. Abstract Background Poisoning is a serious public health problem worldwide. Acute poisoning in South Africa from traditional medicine is a known cause of death. Members of the Xhosa tribe in the Transkei region frequently consult traditional healers and use herbal medicine, when they fall ill. Objective To study the trends in deaths caused by poisoning in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa from 1996 to 2015. Method An autopsy record review study at the Forensic Pathology Laboratory at Mthatha for a period of 20 years (1996–2015). Results Over a period of 20 years, 24 693 autopsies were conducted. In 1139 (4.61%) of these cases, death was caused by poisoning. Male victims numbered 609 (53.46%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.1: 1. More than one third 360 (32.78%) were aged between 21 and 30 years of age. The average number of poisoning-related deaths was 8.9 per 100 000 of the population per year. The highest rate of death, 16.6 per 100 000, was recorded in 2012. Conclusion There has been an increasing trend in death as a result of poisoning in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa. Top |