[Occupational related burns in Abidjan]

Occupation-related burns are important issue for public health area because of its socioeconomic impact for enterprises, victims and society. We performed this study in order to define the epidemiological characteristics of these accidents. We used a retrospective study that concerned occupation-related burns notified as work accident at the national insurance fund (CNPS) for private sector in Côte d'Ivoire. 363 files were selected. Men workers (95.6 %) and the age category from 20 to 39 (71 %) were more concerned. Most of victims were skilled workers (40.4 %) and unskilled workers (36.6 %). Burns occurred mainly in industrial sector than in others (70.8 %). Heat sources were involved in 238 cases of burns (65.6 %). Injuries were mostly superficial. Total temporary disability duration less than or equal to 28 days concerned 252 workers (70.4 %) and after effects with permanent partial disability concerned 64 workers. Most of victims return at the same workstation without modification (98.9 %). Prevention measures should be implemented in high burn risk factories through a program focused on fire safety, electric safety and chemical safety.