Abstract
Introduction: A high number of accidental and self-burn injuries are experienced in Batticaloa. This study was performed to evaluate the epidemiology, types, treatment and outcome of patients with burn injuries admitted to surgical units at the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. Methods: Data were collected by interviewer administered questionnaires from all patients admitted with burn injuries to surgical units during the period 1 August 2011 to 31 March 2012 and analysed using the SPSS analytical package. Results: Thirty nine (62%) of 63 victims were female; 67% were less than 40 years and 73% were married. Burn injuries were common (62%) in rural areas. The majority race was Tamil (81%), 14% were Muslim and 5% Sinhalese (5%). Accidental burn injuries (35, 56%) occurred more frequently than suicidal injuries (26, 41%). Some 3% were homicidal burn injuries. Use of traditional lamps (18, 51%) and kerosene oil cookers (9, 26%) were the main causes for accidental burn injuries. Psychological problems (6%), alcoholism (10, 16%) and epilepsy (3%) were risk factors for accidental burn injuries. Marital conflict (14, 54%) and courtship failure (6, 23%) were the significant (p Conclusion: Accidental burn injuries were more common than suicidal injuries. Traditional lamps and kerosene oil cookers were the main causes for accidental injuries. Marital problems and courtship failure significantly contributed to suicidal burn injuries. The Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery, August 2013 Volume 31, No. 2, Page 11-13 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljs.v31i2.5955
Highlights
A high number of accidental and self-burn injuries are experienced in Batticaloa
Traditional lamps and kerosene oil cookers were the main causes for accidental injuries
The high number of self-burn injuries, often ending in death, drew the attention of surgeons from "Doctors without Borders", a voluntary international organization, and of the hospital psychiatrist. This was a study of the epidemiology, outcome and psychosocial aspects of patients with burn injuries admitted to surgical units, Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa to get a better understanding of the extent and possible causes of the phenomenon
Summary
This study was performed to evaluate the epidemiology, types, treatment and outcome of patients with burn injuries admitted to surgical units at the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. The high number of self-burn injuries, often ending in death, drew the attention of surgeons from "Doctors without Borders", a voluntary international organization, and of the hospital psychiatrist. This was a study of the epidemiology, outcome and psychosocial aspects of patients with burn injuries admitted to surgical units, Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa to get a better understanding of the extent and possible causes of the phenomenon
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