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Abstract
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Even before the primitive man learned to use fire, he had been a victim of it. Burns are a common injury in the developing world and associated with the significant mortality and morbidity. Burn may be thermal, electrical, chemical or scalds etc. Most of the burns are preventable and if managed properly most of burn patients can be saved.
The aims and objectives of this research work is to study the epidemiology of burns in this region of the country and find out certain reasons and causes particular to our social set up with special emphasis on preventive aspects of the accidental burns.
This study was conducted on 1,160 patients of acute burns admitted through casualty to the burns wards of the Plastic Surgery unit (Dept. of Surgery), J.N. Medical College and Hospital, AMU, Aligarh (U.P.). This study was retrospective and covered 5 years from (1st May 1997 to 31st December 2002). The total body surface area (% BSA) burned was estimated by the 'Rule of 9' for adults and the Lund and Browder's Charts for children.
Burns are a common injury in the developing world and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In our study the highest incidence of burns was in the age group 13 to 25 years. This may be explained by the fact that married women spend most of their time working in kitchen and are a susceptible lot. Also, cases of bride burning is more frequently found in this group.
The high incidence of thermal burns is explained by use of oil for lamps in villages, substandard kerosene and gas stoves, use of open coal and wood fires for warmth and cooking in villages and use of pressure stoves for cooking in urban areas.
The old and unsafe electrical installation in the Indian houses distribution wires passing overhead and very close to houses, use of crude electric rod for boiling water, unprotected sockets, and 'Kundi Connection' -- a common mechanism for theft of electricity in this part of the country are some of the common causes of electric burns in this part of the country.
Maximum number of deaths occurred in patients with a total body surface area burn of more than 50%. In our study no patient with more than 75% burns survived. Majority of patients who left against medical advice were females.
The high mortality rate may be explained by the high incidence of major flame burns, delay in seeking medical help, high incidence of septicaemia and lack of resources both on part of the patients and the hospital. Sepsis was the leading cause of death in our series (54%).
Through this study it may be concluded that burns are largely preventable and if properly managed in burns wards may be treated with a high degree of success. The approach to prevention may be accomplished by: 1)education and awareness campaigns in risk group i.e. housewives, children, elderly; 2) passing legislation for proper safeguards in household appliances; 3) legislation to reduce the prevalence of electricity theft; and 4) use of less flammable garments. |