Burns Open (Oct 2020)
Burn injury in tertiary health facility in South East Nigeria: A 2 year prospective study
Abstract
Background and Objective: Burn injury is one of the severest type of injury known to medicine. The metabolic demand on the body if not well managed can result in varying outcomes. Local practices, early access to health care and extent of injury has been shown to affect outcome. However, the obvious ignorance of /and inability to implement the preventive strategies has made it impossible to reduce the incidence. Inadequate health planning and policy contributes to pressure on the health system. Defining local epidemiology is pertinent for any successful policy planning and implementation at all levels. Methods and results: This a prospective epidemiological study of burn injury that presented at Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State over a 24 months period (August 2016–August 2018). A total of 96 cases presented at the facility with a male:female of 1.4:1. The frequency of presentation was 0.92 cases per week. Majority of the injuries presented via the Emergency Room and flame was the most common aetiological agent. Food agents were usually applied on the wounds as first aid. The mortality the study was 14.3%. Most fire injuries occurred at home. The worst affected age group was the economically active (21–40 years). Conclusion: The study is very informative and can guide the centre in predicting its needs and managing resources. It also helps in defining targets for public enlightenment and intervention. We encourage big centres to do such studies so that a national face will be given to burn injury.
