Gender and Poisoning in Jamaica: A Multi-faceted Relationship

Studies in Jamaica indicate that the link between poisoning and gender is complex, influenced by differing exposure risks tied to traditional gender roles, an even distribution of accidental poisoning among children, and a higher prevalence of male victims in fatal poisoning suicides.

Differential Exposure Risks by Gender                                                                                     

 Occupational and Domestic Exposure

Women often face greater exposure to certain toxins due to their societal and occupational roles. This includes using a wider range of personal care products or working in specific industrial or agricultural sectors without adequate protection. This necessitates collecting gender-disaggregated data to inform effective public health strategies.

Mercury and Reproductive Health

 A significant concern exists regarding the exposure of women of childbearing age to substances like mercury, given its potential adverse effects on fetal development and the health of future generations.

Poisoning Incident Statistics

Accidental Poisoning in Children: Data from facilities, including Kingston Public Hospital, on accidental chemical ingestion in children show an equal gender split among patients. The primary causes identified are insufficient adult supervision and the unsafe storage of everyday household items such as bleach, thinner, and kerosene.

Fatal Poisoning in Adults: A 20-year review of fatal poisoning cases at the University Hospital of the West Indies revealed a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1 (13 males to nine females).

Suicide: Suicides accounted for the majority (64%) of these fatal incidents. Predominance of males. Pesticides, particularly paraquat, were the most common substances used in these incidents.

Accidental: Accidental fatalities accounted for 36% of the cases

The Influence of Gender on Poisoning Incidents and Exposure

Gender plays a significant role in the nature, substance, and outcome of poisoning incidents, driven by differences in behaviour, social roles, and biology.

Patterns in Poisoning Incidents

Intentionality: While rates vary regionally, males often exhibit a higher incidence of accidental poisonings, whereas females are more frequently involved in suicidal poisonings.

Substance Choice:

• Males are more commonly affected by illicit drugs, as well as specific opioids and stimulants, contributing to a higher rate of overdose deaths.

• Females may more frequently utilise certain prescription medications, such as alprazolam, for intentional poisoning.

Age and Development:

•  Childhood poisonings from household items more often affect boys.

• Older Teens show a divergence, with girls potentially using antiepileptics and boys leaning toward opioids for poisoning incidents.

Chemical Exposure and Social Roles

• Occupational Exposure (e.g., Agriculture): Men in agricultural settings face direct, high-level pesticide exposure during application, while women are more likely to experience indirect exposure during tasks like planting or harvesting.

• Domestic Exposure: Women are at a greater risk of poisoning from household cleaning products and other toxins encountered within the home environment.

Biological Factors and Health Impacts

Physiological Response: Variations in enzyme levels, hormone profiles, and overall body size between sexes influence the metabolism of toxins and their resulting health effects.

Reproductive Health: Exposure to certain toxins (e.g., lead, PFAS, pesticides) disproportionately affects women's reproductive health, potentially causing hormone disruption, affecting ovulation, increasing the risk of miscarriage, and leading to low birth weight.

Cultural and Historical Views

• Historical Perception: Poison was often characterised as a "woman's weapon," as it did not require physical strength and aligned with the traditional domestic sphere, making it a concealed means of harm.

• Literary Reflection: This view is reflected in literature, which frequently connects female poisoners with domestic betrayal, often using innocuous, "sweet" substances like sugar to mask their malice.

Key Conclusion

Gender is a critical determinant influencing what toxins people are exposed to, how and why those exposures occur, and how the body physiologically responds. This necessity underscores the importance of developing gender-specific strategies for both prevention and treatment of poisoning incidents.