Citation

Kalanzi EW, O'Hara LM, O'Hara NN, Boyle JC. Burns 2014; 40(3): 495-499.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: kalanziw15@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2013.08.009

PMID

24070850

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Insecticide-treated bed nets are essential tools to prevent malaria in endemic regions, however, increasing trends in bed net related burns in Kampala, Uganda are concerning. METHODS: Data were collected from burns unit admission records at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda for the years 2008-2011 inclusive. Retrospective analyses on the characteristics of patients admitted with bed net related burns within this period were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were admitted to the burns unit with bed net related burns during the study period. Most burns occurred among individuals who were 0-1 years old (33.3%) and 26-35 years old (24.2%) and the majority were male (71%). Bed net related burns at Mulago Hospital are severe, as evidenced by the fact that 15 of 45 patients died (crude mortality rate=33%) and that 26 patients (57.8%) had total body surface area burn percentages that were greater than 20%. The average length of stay in hospital for patients with bed net related burns was 30.4 days. CONCLUSION: Organizations responsible for malaria prevention should consider incorporating fire and burn prevention awareness, strategies and training into their bed net distribution programs.

Language: en