Burns in Sierra Leone: a population-based assessment

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Burns represent a substantial and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
• Limited epidemiological data exists for burn injuries in Sierra Leone, hindering targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a baseline understanding of burn epidemiology in Sierra Leone.
• To inform the development of future burn prevention and care programs.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide, cluster randomized, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Sierra Leone in 2012.
• Standardized questionnaires collected data on demographics, burn occurrences, mechanisms, body regions affected, and healthcare-seeking behaviors from 1843 households and 3645 individuals.

Main Results:

• A burn injury prevalence of 3.98% (145/3645) was reported.
• The highest burn incidence was observed in children aged 0-4 years (5.4%) and 5-14 years (4.17%).
• Hot liquids/objects were the primary cause (89.0%), with upper extremities being the most affected body region (36%).

Conclusions:

• Burns are highly prevalent in Sierra Leone, indicating a significant public health concern.
• There is a critical need for increased research and resource allocation towards the prevention and management of thermal injuries in the region.