A cohort study to compare banana leaves dressing with conventional dressing for children with burn wounds at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania 2021

Abstract

Background: Globally burns among children are a public health concern. Banana leaf dressings or Conventional dressing materials may be used to dress burn wounds children. The study aimed to explore the outcomes of burn wounds dressed using banana leaves and conventional dressing materials respectful. Methods: Hospital-based cohort study design conducted at Bugando Medical Center Burn Unit. Non-probability convenient sampling method with a sample size of 35 pediatric patients with burn wounds for each group of convectional dressing methods and banana leaf dressings was reached. Stata program Version 13 was used to analyze data. Results: A total of 70 children; 1 to 18 years, with a median age of 4 and interquartile range [IQR: 1-17] years were enrolled in the study. Thirty-five were dressed with Banana leaf the other 35 were dressed with conventional materials. Results showed that Banana leaf dressing was associated with; less pain (aOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1 – 0.5, p–value <0.001), less medication use (aOR = 3.0,95% CI: 1.1 – 8.7, p – value 0.02) and good satisfaction (aOR = 85.6, 95% CI: 3.3 – 219, p – value <0.001) respectful during dressing change compared to conventional dressing method. However, no difference was observed between the length of hospital stay and the dressing method chosen. Conclusions: Although there is no evidence of a dressing method that is best for burn wounds. This study shows that Banana leaf dressing is convenient in terms of having fewer pain experiences and that it can be locally obtained in areas where the banana plant is easily available. We recommend the use of banana leaf dressings for burns moreover, enlightenment of the public on the intervention and prevention of burns among children.