Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of burn injuries among hospitalized patients in Babylon Province

Abstract

Background: Burns form the fourth most common cause of injury after road traffic injuries, falls, and interpersonal conflicts and are usually correlated with devastating physical, mental, social, and financial harms, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Iraq. Objectives: To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of burn injury patients, to measure the mortality rate (case fatality rate) for burns, and to explain the main determinants of deaths among hospitalized burn injury patients. Patients and Methods: This was an observational descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on all acute burn injury cases who were admitted to the biggest teaching hospital in Babylon Province, Iraq. Data were collected from patients themselves or their companions and from patients' hospital records using a pretested questionnaire designed for collecting the requested information that included demographic data, burn characteristics, burn determinants, and burn outcomes. Results: A sample of 120 patients with burn injuries were investigated. The mean age ± standard deviation was 18.9 ± 17.9 years. The mean age of burn death victims was 24.5 ± 17.66 years. The young age group (15-24 years) represented the highest proportion. Male to female ratio was 1:1.4. Most of the patients had low educational and income levels. The case fatality rate was 26.6% (32/120). The majority of cases were from rural areas; 67% of suicidal burn deaths had more than 50% of total body surface area. Intentional burn death victims had significantly severe burns (third-degree burn and high body surface area) as compared to accidental burn death victims. There was a statistically significant difference as regards the mode of burns between the intentional and accidental burn deaths; all intentional death victims were burnt with flame. Conclusions: The case fatality rate of burn injuries was high, females outnumbered males, the majority of the victims had low educational and income levels, and suicidal burn deaths were significantly associated with severe burn as compared to the accidental ones.