#98 Analysis of 1089 burn patients in province of kurdistan, iran

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this epidemiological study was to provide descriptive characteristics, incidence, mortality, and risk factors associated with burn injuries in Kurdistan to assist in developing effective burn prevention programs. METHODS: A medical record review was conducted of the 1089 burn patients admitted to burn units in Kurdistan over the six-year period beginning on 21 March 1994. Data were collected on the size and outcome of the burn, and on demographic information. These data were supplemented by data from the 1996 population census RESULTS: The incidence rate for burn hospitalization was 13.5 per 100,000 person-years. The median age of patients was 18 years old, with 58% of the patients under age 20 years. The median BBS was 40%. The incidence rate of burns according to gender was 18 per 100,000 person-years for females and 9.1 per 100,000 person-years for males (P (2) < 0.000001). Also there was statistical significant association between mortality rate and age groups/gender/BBS (P (2) < 0.000001). Flame was the most common type of burn (694/1089, 63.7%). There was also a significant correlation between age and type of burn (P (2) < 0.000001). Ninety-one percent (991/1089) of the burns were unintentional (12.3 per 100,000 person-years), while suicide attempts by self immolation of persons aged 13 years and older accounted for 12.7% (98/771) (2 per 100,000 person-years). The mortality rate was 4.5 per 100,000 person-years. CONCLUSION: Burn injuries appear to be a substantial problem in Kurdistan, Iran. It is important to implement health education programs to reduce burn injuries. Strategies could include broadcast flashes on television or radio, depicting situations that increase risk in conjunction with information derived from epidemiological studies about risk factors. Such broadcasts should also call attention to strategies to prevent burn accidents.