Epidemiology and Outcome of Burns Cases in Karad

In India, about 700, 000 to 800, 000 people per year suffer from burns, in that only few thousands patients take treatment in hospital. The incidence occur more in women 16–35 years of age. Part of this high rate is related to accidental burns in unsafe kitchens and loose-fitting clothing typical to India. It is estimated that one-third of all burns in India are due to clothing catching fire from open flames. Suicidal burns are also a common cause and occur at high rates in young women.

1) Epidemiology and outcome of burn injuries.

In this 3 years retrospective study from Jan 2010 to Dec 2012, total of 479 burns cases which have been registered in the casualty of Krishna Institute of Medical sciences were analyzed at the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KIMS, Karad.

In the present study maximum burns cases were seen in females (246 cases) with male: female sex ratio is 0.9: 1. Out of 479 cases, 272 cases improved with average duration of hospital stay were 7.04 days and 140 cases died due to complications of burns. Superficial burns were seen in 40 cases and deep burns in 21 cases and superficial to deep burns in 418 cases.

In our study it was proved that, maximum numbers of victims were female belongs to 30 year age groups. The higher risk for females is associated with open fire cooking, or inherently unsafe cook stoves, which can ignite loose clothing. Open flames used for heating and lighting also pose risks, and self-directed or interpersonal violence are also the major factors.