Prevention of Burns

Abstract

Burn injuries result in lifelong physical and psychological scarring, causing pain and influencing mental health, quality of life, ability to return to work and subsequent mortality. Although information on burn epidemiology is essential for resource allocation and prevention, the available data are variable and inconsistent. The majority of data are from high income countries and are directly related to access to health care resources, differences in environments and the resources of the various health-care systems. In lower income countries, fewer resources, geographical constraints and cost limit data collection and access to health care. Additionally, cultural factors such as open air cooking areas and loose clothing (for example, saris), domestic violence and dowry deaths contribute to regional variation. The various preventive stategies are adopted based on the epidemiology of burns.