Volume 28, Issue 149, July 2024

Pattern of burn injuries and short-term outcome of management in a limited resources area

Siddig Fadul Mohamed Ahmed^1♦, Mohamed Elfatih M Elhaj², Ahmed Elamin Elsheikh³, Hammad Ali Fadlalmola⁴

¹Senior Registrar General Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Armed Forces Hospital, Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia
²Consultant General and laparoscopic surgeon, College of Medicine, Al- Mangil University, Al-Managil, Sudan
³Professor of General Surgery, Wad Madani Teaching Hospital, Wad Madani, Sudan
⁴Associate Professor, Nursing College, Taibah University, Department of Community Health Nursing Madinah, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding Author
Senior Registrar General Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Armed Forces Hospital, Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Burn injuries are a significant global public health issue, ranking as the fourth most common type of trauma after traffic accidents, falls, and interpersonal violence. They predominantly occur in low- to middle-income countries, where resources often lack to prevent and manage burns. This study examines the demographic features, causes, and short-term outcomes of burn injuries in Al- Managil Teaching Hospital, Sudan. A descriptive, retrospective, and prospective hospital-based study was conducted, with data collected from 88 patients' files. The mean age of patients was 15.1 years, with 63.6% being children under 15, predominantly those under five. Scalds were the leading cause of burns (60.2%), followed by flame injuries (38.6%). Most burns occurred at home, often during food preparation. Partial-thickness burns were most common (83%), with a minority presenting mixed or full-thickness burns. Traditional remedies were used by 33% of patients, contributing to complications like infections and delayed hospital visits. The mortality rate was 2.2%, with deaths occurring in young children from rural areas. This study highlights the vulnerability of young children to burn injuries due to developmental factors and inadequate supervision. Females were more affected than males, likely due to their roles in food preparation in hazardous environments. The study emphasizes the need for better burn prevention strategies, particularly in rural areas and among high-risk groups, to reduce the incidence and severity of burn injuries. Improving public awareness and first aid knowledge is crucial for mitigating the impact of burns in resource-limited settings.

Keywords: Burn, Short-Term Outcome, Limited Resources, Scald, Traditional Remedies

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e79ms3364

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i149.e79ms3364

Published: 21 July 2024