Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine
  • Year: 2008
  • Volume: 30
  • Issue: 1

Thermal burn: An epidemiological prospective study

  • Author:
  • Usama B. Ghaffar, Munnawar Husain1, Shameen J Rizvi2
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Page Number: 10 to 14

1School of Nursing

2Department of Forensic Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002.

*Corresponding Author: Junior Resident, Usama B. Ghaffar. E-mail: ubghaffar_amu@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Fire was perhaps, man's first double-edged sword, for throughout history, it has served as well destroyed mankind1. Burns have tremendous medicolegal importance as they may be considered to be the commonest cause of unnatural death in India. Often, the circumstances of burns are enveloped in mystery, obscurity and unreliable statements. The reason behind this action may be personal, domestic, occupational or social tragedy, and more recently dowry death2.

The district of Aligarh is situated in the mid of Doab – the land between the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers, at a distance of 130 km southeast of Delhi-Howarh rail route and Grand Trunk Road. The latitude is 27° 54′ N and longitude is 78° 05′ E. The population of Aligarh is 3 million (657 people/km). Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital attracts mainly rural patients from 1706 villages and 6 tehsils in and around Aligarh.

This prospective study was carried out on victims admitted to Burn Unit, Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The objective was to analyze the epidemiological features, etiological factors and mortality of burn victims admitted to the unit.

Keywords

Epidemiology, mortality, accelerant, Aligarh, India