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Burn-related physical impairments and disabilities in Ghanaian children: prevalence and risk factors
S N Forjuoh1, B Guyer, H T Ireys
1Department of Maternal and Child Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Md, USA.
Insights
Childhood burns in Ghana frequently cause physical impairments, especially those on the head/neck or with slow healing. Maternal education and proper first aid can reduce impairment risks.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood burns are a significant cause of physical impairments and disabilities globally.
- Understanding risk factors in specific regions like Ghana is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and risk factors for physical impairments and disabilities resulting from burns in children in Ghana.
- To identify key factors associated with increased or decreased odds of developing burn-related impairments.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from mothers of burned children in Ghana.
- Multivariate regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors.
- Prevalence of physical impairments and disabilities was calculated based on identified burns.
Main Results:
- Out of 650 identified burns, 17.4% resulted in physical impairments and 1% in physical disabilities.
- Risk factors significantly increasing impairment odds included protracted healing (OR=5.80), head/neck burns (OR=344), skin removal (OR=3.04), and wound infection (OR=2.03).
- Factors decreasing impairment odds were first aid (OR=0.51) and maternal education (OR=0.54).
Conclusions:
- Burn-related physical impairments are common in Ghanaian children, with specific burn characteristics and wound complications being major contributors.
- Maternal education and prompt first aid application are protective factors against the development of burn-related physical impairments.
- Interventions focusing on burn care education and promoting maternal education may reduce the burden of childhood burn injuries.
Abstract:
The prevalence, and risk factors for childhood burn-related physical impairments and disabilities in Ghana were determined with data from mothers of burned children. Of 650 identified burns 113 (174%) resulted in physical impairments, 5 (1%) resulted in physical disabilities. After multivariate adjustment, the odds of developing burn-related physical impairments were increased by burns with protracted healing (odds ratio [OR] = 5.80), burns to the head/neck (OR = 344), burns involving skin removal (OR = 3.04), and wound infection (OR = 2.03) and decreased by first aid (OR = 0.51) and maternal education (OR = 0.54). Education on the proper care of burns may prevent burn-related physical impairments. The results also underscore the link between maternal education and child morbidity.