Background Non-fatal poisoning is a major cause of morbidity in LMICs. Poisoning directly affect nation’s scarce resources, including health facilities and thereby nation’s development. To develop poisoning prevention measures in Bangladesh. It is essential to assess the magnitude and risk factors of poisoning in the country.

Objective To assess the magnitude and risk-factors for morbidity due to non-fatal poisoning in rural Bangladesh.

Methods An injury surveillance was conducted during June 2013 to November 2015 in 1 37 720 rural households covering 5, 96 582 population in 3 sub-districts of rural Bangladesh. Non-fatal poisoning data was captured for one full year during July 2014 to June 2015. During this one-year period 378 poisoning morbidity cases were identified.

Findings Among 378 poisoning case 56.0% were female; and 53.0% were children under 5. Among all ages the poisoning morbidity rate was 63.4/100,000/year. The highest rate, 341.8/100,000/year was observed among children under 5. The mean duration of hospitalization was 6 days. Average treatment cost was USD 135.31. The highest proportion (46%) of poisoning occurred due to ingestion of soap/detergent/chlorhexidine, which was followed by pesticides/insecticides/rodenticides (23.0%). Containers were mostly (58.7%) kept on the floor or under the bed. Children under 5 had 11 times higher rate of non-fatal (CI 8.62–13.61; p=0.000) poisoning compared to adults. Individuals with primary level education had 2.6 times (Cl 1.15–6.0; p=0.02) higher rate of non-fatal poisoning compared to those with college or higher education. Businessmen/students and retired/unemployed/housewife had 2 times higher rates of non-fatal poisoning compared to those who are engaged in cultivation. Non-fatal poisoning rates of the lowest SES quintile increased significantly compared to the highest SES quintile.

Conclusion and policy implications Non-fatal poisoning is a major injury problem in rural Bangladesh. Children under 5 are at the highest risk of poisoning morbidity. Intervention measures are urgently needed to prevent these unwanted morbidities.