CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF BURN PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Burns are a worldwide public health problem. Burn injuries account for a significant number of deaths in India each year. Burn injuries cause substantial medical, social, and psychological problems, as well as significant economic losses for the sufferer and their family. The present was conducted to find out epidemiological features, causes, manners and characteristics of burns.
Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year. There were 100 patients with burn injuries. Data was collected from the medical records and reports attached in the file of the patient in the hospital. Data regarding socio-demographic details, etiology of burns, place of burn, manner of burns and percentage of body surface area affected by burns were collected.
Results: Major proportion of burn patients were in the age group between 21 and 30 years. major proportion of burn patients were females. Most of the cases were due to scalds followed by flames. Most of the burns were accidental in nature followed by suicidal burns. Maximum number of patients were burn surface area between 11-20% and maximum number of patients were having 2nd degree grade of burn
Conclusion: The study concluded that higher incidence of burns were among young adults, which were accidental in nature. The mortality, morbidity, and disability associated with burns are contingent upon the quality of care at the hospital, the early initiation of treatment, the appropriate referral, and the expeditious attendance in the health care delivery system. The prevention of fatalities among children can be achieved by implementing safety measures at the household level, such as refraining from using lanterns or kupi and utilizing fuels for cooking.