Hafiz Mohammed Yar, Mohammed Anwar, Mohammed Razzaq Malik, Mohammed Zafar Iqbal, Hammad Azam.
Frequency and age-specific presentation of burns.
J Sheikh Zayed Med Coll Jan ;2(1):148-51.

Background: Burns are a major source of morbidity and mortality, and their incidence is high in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including Pakistan. Appropriate measures to prevent burns require adequate knowledge of the epidemiological characteristics and associated risk factors, which may vary among communities. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features of patients of burns in Rahimyarkhan, and secondarily based on these findings appropriate measures will be suggested for prevention of burns.. Study design and duration. This was a descriptive study conducted from Feb to Sep, 2010. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in the Burn Unit of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. All the burn patients were included in the study. Data regarding age, sex, causative agents, body parts involved, geographical origin, mode and nature of injury and outcome were obtained from the hospital record. Analysis was done with SPSS version 14.0. Results: Total victims were 109 (56 males, 53 females). Age ranged from 7 months to 70 years (mean 14.30 ± 4.31 years). Children <10 years were 53 (48.6%), 11-20 years were 19 (17.43%) and 21-70 years were 37 (33.9%). 65 were from rural areas and 44 from urban. 67 (61.41%) cases were caused by flame, 31(28%) by hot liquids, 8 ( 7%) by electricity, 3(2.7%) by chemicals. 107 were accidental and 2 suicidal. 85 healed completely, 16 had complications and 8 expired. Conclusion: By using safe kitchen appliances, majority of all burn accidents can be prevented. Measures should be taken to launch a public health education campaign that will reduce the incidence of these fatal casualties.

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