Evaluating the utilization of a regional poison center by Latino communities

Penetrance values estimate the utilization of poison centers services. For a variety of reasons, penetrance values may vary greatly among geographic areas of population. We examined the relationship between ethnicity and penetrance in our population.

We conducted a retrospective review of data from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000 from our poison center's database. Home calls to the center were evaluated by zip code, age, gender, substance, route of exposure, and outcome. These data were compared with U.S. Census 2000 geographic and community demographic data for San Diego by zip code. From this information, we identified zip code regions with substantial Latino populations (>50%), and substantial Caucasian populations (>70%). Study groups were limited to those zip codes with median household incomes of $20,000-$50,000. Aggregate total and pediatric penetrance values were calculated for each group and compared.

Our study group consisted of 6 zip codes with significant numbers of Latino residents, and 11 zip codes with significant numbers of Caucasian residents. Aggregate call volume for the county was 6.5 calls per 1000 population, while that for children less than age 5 was 43. Penetrance values for the study zip codes with large Latino populations were significantly lower with a mean value of 22.4 for children, and 5.0 for all ages. These values were statistically significant when compared to county data and that from the control zip codes with largely Caucasian residents (61 aggregate and 49.6 pediatric).

Penetrance values were significantly lower in zip codes with large numbers of Latino residents. Reasons for this variation are being investigated.