Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 2

Epidemiology and Outcome of Hospitalized Burn Patients in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in South India

  • Author:
  • Gowri Shankar1,, Eshwar B Kalburgi2, Gagan Srinivas3, Sarojini Hunshikatti4
  • Total Page Count: 3
  • Page Number: 137 to 139

1Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, SN Medical College, Navanagar, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India

2Professor and HOD, Department of Surgery, HSK Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Navanagar, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India

3Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Akash Institute of Medical Sciences, Devanahalli, Karnataka

4Medico Social Worker, Department of Community Medicine, S.N. Medical College, Navanagar, Bagalkot

*Corresponding author: Gowri Shankar, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, SN Medical College, Navanagar, Bagalkot-587103, Karnataka. E-mail: drgowrijnmc@gmail.com, Phone- 91-9986613442

Abstract

Burn injuries are a global public health problem, accounting for an estimated 1, 95, 000 deaths annually. The majority of these occur in low- and middle-income countries and almost half occur in the WHO South-East Asia Region. The causes of burn injury differ in various communities and understanding this problem is necessary before prevention can be recommended. So, the present study was done to know the epidemiology and outcome of hospitalized burn patients.

A one year case series study of all burn injury patients admitted in Hangal Sri Kumareshwar Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Navanagar, Bagalkot was conducted between January 1st, 2011 to December 31st, 2011. Data was obtained on a pre designed and pre tested proforma from the Medical Records Department and analyzed by chi- square test and percentages

A total of 94 burn injury patients were admitted during the study period.. More than 60% of the patients were females (61.70%) and maximum numbers (56.38%) were between 21–40 years of age (p=0.352). Flame contributed to 89.66% of burn injuries in females (p=0.000). In half of the males, total burn surface area was <20% whereas in almost 40% females, total burn surface area was >61%. (p=0.003). The case fatality rate was 41.49%

Burn injuries can be prevented by bringing about regulations to develop safer cooking equipment, promoting non flammable garments and educating the communityto be careful while handling equipment that can cause burn injury.

Keywords

Burn Injuries, Total Burn Surface Area, Hospital, Flame