Burns Care, Epidemiology and Aetiology in Newly Established Burns Unit: Atbuth
Anthony Sabo Ezekiel*, Kefas John Bwala, Felix M Wina and S Adamu
December 14, 2023
DOI : 10.56831/PSSRP-03-080
Abstract
Context: Burns has remained one of the severest forms of trauma a man suffers. All ages and sexes are affected however, different studies have shown predilection for certain age groups and sexes due to activities and environments such individuals are exposed to. These injuries are best managed in a dedicated burn centres or units. There is a paucity of data on such emanating centres in the North-eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study is a retrospective one looking at the pattern of burn injury among patients seen and treated in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi (ATBUTH). Folders of burns patients seen and managed with major acute burns between January 2018 and December 2021 in the institution were collected and data was obtained using a proforma. Statistical package for social sciences version 25 was used to analyse the data and the result depicted in tables and charts. Result: A total of 77 patients were studied among which 68.8% were less or equal to 10 years of age, 64.9% were males, and scald was responsible for 57.1% of injury followed by flame (32.5%). Seventy-four point zero percent sustained superficial partial thickness injury and the most commonly affected body part is the back followed by the right upper limb seen in 57% and 50% of cases respectively. The majority, (72.1%), were managed with wound dressing only while 1.3% had skin grafting. A mortality rate of 9.1% was recorded. Trimodal peak was seen in the months of February/March, July and October. Conclusion: The paediatric age group was the most affected by scald burns which was largely due to domestic accidents. This shows that adults need to do more in order to protect these youngsters from the danger of burns.
Keywords: burns; epidemiology; aetiology; care; new burns unit
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