OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and handling practices of parents across Karachi regarding poisonous household chemicals.

METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from May to August 2019. Parents of children (aged 0-16 years) visiting various departments of the hospital participated in this survey. Data were collected using a pharmacist-administered questionnaire about knowledge and practices at home regarding storing household chemicals and medicines using a five-point Likert scale.

RESULTS: A total of 364 parents completed this survey. There were 229 mothers and 127 fathers (eight had missing data). Seventy-six percent of mothers and 79% of fathers were educated. Almost 30% of all parents left medicines and poisons in an unlocked place, while 50% of educated parents kept medicines and poisons locked inside cabinets. Eighty percent of parents responded that they “almost always” kept medicines and poisons out of reach of children. Sixty-nine percent of parents used living room cupboards as preferred storage for chemicals, and 36% stored chemicals in the fridge. Eighty percent agreed that rushing a poisoned child to the emergency room after a poisoning accident was the appropriate action to take. Chemicals perceived as poisonous included kerosene, pesticides, drain opener and cosmetics, from most toxic to least toxic. Age of the child was not significantly associated with knowledge or practice about chemicals in household.

CONCLUSIONS: This study surveys the knowledge and practices of parents about the handling of household chemicals and poisons. These results are important for devising strategies for parental awareness and interventions for preventing childhood poisonings in local and global communities.