Risk factors of burns among children in Mongolia

Abstract

Burn is one of the leading causes of under-5 childhood injuries. Identification of risk factors and awareness level of caregivers could help reduction of burn-related morbidity. The objectives of this study were to identify general perceptions of risk factors of childhood burns, prevalence of burns among under-five Mongolian children, and to assess knowledge and practice of burn care and care seeking behaviors for care givers of those children. A household-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to October 2010 including 865 households with 1154 under-5 children. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using semi-structured questionnaire. Of total 1154 children, 291 (25.2%) had burn injury in their life-time. Above half of them had suffered a scald. Majority of burns occurred at home and urban children were at higher risk. The age up to 36 months, boys, and fewer children (<3) in the household were found as significant risk factors for childhood burns. Caregivers’ knowledge and practices on childhood burns were generally insufficient; most of them indicated the importance of physical environment at home. We concluded that burns were common among under-5 children, and caregivers’ knowledge and practices on burns was inadequate. Specific interventions like “Caregivers education program” encouraging safe domestic environmental conditions should be undertaken to increase their awareness on burn-related issues to reduce childhood burns in Mongolia.