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Epidemiology of childhood burn injuries in Fars province, Iran
Abdolaziz Rastegar Lari1, Mohammad-Reza Panjeshahin, Ali-Reza Talei
1Department of Microbiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran.
Insights
Childhood burn injuries in Iran
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood burn injuries represent a significant public health concern in Iran, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding the epidemiology and causative factors of these injuries is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology and causative factors of hospitalized burn injuries in children aged 0-15 years in Iran's Fars province.
- To provide data for a targeted preventive program aimed at reducing childhood burn incidence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of epidemiologic data for 760 children admitted to burn centers in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 1994 to 1998.
- Calculation of hospitalization and incidence rates, analysis of burn causes, body surface area affected, and injury settings.
Main Results:
- The overall hospitalization rate was 11.8 per 100,000 person-years (PY).
- Younger children (≤7 years) were most affected, with 2-year-olds having the highest incidence rate (36.9/100,000 PY).
- Scalds (46.2%) and flame (42.9%) were the primary causes, with 93% of injuries occurring at home. Suicide attempts accounted for 31 burns in adolescents.
Conclusions:
- The epidemiology of childhood burns in Fars province mirrors that of other developing countries.
- A public health education campaign is recommended to reduce the incidence of childhood burn injuries.
- Burn injuries, including those from suicide attempts, pose a major public health challenge requiring targeted interventions.
Abstract:
Childhood burn injuries are a major environmental agent responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in Iran. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiology and current causative factors of hospitalized burn injuries among the approximately 1.6 million children between the ages of birth through 15 years residing in the Fars province of Iran. These data will be used as a basis for developing a targeted preventive program to protect children from burns. Epidemiologic data for 760 children, aged 0 to 15 years, admitted to the two burn centers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, over a 4-year period, 1994 to 1998, were collected and analyzed. The overall hospitalization rate was 11.8 per 100,000 person-years (PY). The sex ratio (boys/girls) was 1.38. About 60% were children aged 7 years or younger. Children aged 2 years had the highest burn incidence rate (36.9/100,000 PY). A total of 77.4% of the children had body surface area burns less than 40%. Scalds accounted for 46.2% of the burns, whereas 42.9% were caused by flame. Most of the burn injuries occurred at home (93%). There were 31 burns from suicide attempts among children aged 11 to 15 years (1.4/100,000 PY), showing a major public health problem for these children in our society. During the period of the study, 131 children died of the consequences of burns (2/100,000 PY). The epidemiology of childhood burn injuries in the Fars province is similar to that reported in other economically developing countries. It is suggested that a public health education campaign on this issue would help to reduce the incidence of childhood burn injuries in this region.
