Risk factors for burns in children: crowding, poverty, and poor maternal education. Issue 1 (1st March 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delgado, J; Ramírez-Cardich, M E; Gilman, R H; Lavarello, R; Dahodwala, N; Bazán, A; Rodríguez, V; Cama, R I; Tovar, M; Lescano, A
• Is Part Of: Injury prevention. Volume 8:Issue 1(2002)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2002-03-01
• Subjects: scalding burns -- socioeconomic factors -- maternal education; BSA, body surface area -- CI, confidence interval -- INSN, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño -- OR, odds ratio; Children's accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 617.1
• DOI: 10.1136/ip.8.1.38
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8047

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To characterize the presentation of burns in children and risk factors associated with their occurrence in a developing country as a basis for future prevention programs. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Burn unit of the National Institute of Child Health (Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño) in Lima, Peru. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to all consenting guardians of children admitted to the burns (cases) and general medicine (controls) units during a period of 14 months. Guardians of patients were questioned regarding etiology of the injury, demographic and socioeconomic data. Results: 740 cases and controls were enrolled. Altogether 77.5% of the cases burns occurred in the patient's home, with 67.8% in the kitchen; 74% were due to scalding. Most involved children younger than 5 years. Lack of water supply (odds ratio (OR) 5.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1 to 12.3), low income (OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.0 to 3.9), and crowding (OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.7 to 3.6) were associated with an increased risk. The presence of a living room (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.8) and better maternal education (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.9) were protective factors. Conclusions: To prevent burns interventions should be directed to low socioeconomic status groups; these interventions should be designed accordingly to local risk factors.