The socioeconomic impact of burns in Lagos, Nigeria: a one-year prospective study

A one-year prospective study of burn patients presenting to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos from June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008 was conducted to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of burn injuries sustained by the patients. A proforma reflecting the various data of interest was the main instrument of the study. The data was subjected to simple statistical analysis. A total of 52 patients with a mean age of 25 ± 17.1 years were studied. There were 27 males and 25 females giving a M:F ratio of 1.1:1. Man-hours were lost by 88.5% of the patients, 55.8% of whom were income earners. About 74% of the patients had returned to work or school at the conclusion of the study. The most common opportunity cost of treatment was a relative stopping work or school. Half of the patients were unsatisfied with their appearance and 26.9% desired cosmetic surgery. Social interactions were normal in 74.5% of the patients and none reported a poor quality of life. The study showed a significant socioeconomic burden from burns. It highlighted the importance of the informal sociocultural support system and the need for formal, well-structured social support systems.