Sociodemographic characteristics and fate of hospitalized burned patients in Al-Hilla city

Abstract

Background: A burn is defined as a damage to the tissues due to high temperatures or heat, cold, electrical, chemical, friction, or irradiation. In developing countries such as Iraq, burn injuries are widespread, particularly in low-income and rural regions. Burns are considered the fourth most prevalent type of injuries worldwide. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of hospitalized burned patients, as well as patients’ fate and related risk factors. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The data were collected by interviewing patients who admitted in the burns ward center of Al-Imam Al-Sadiq Teaching Hospital or their companions, for a 3-month period from February 1, 2022 to May 1, 2022. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 27. Results: We collected data from 73 burned patients, which showed that most of them were males 53.4%, the mean age ± standard deviation was 18.76 ± 16.81 years, 65.8% living in rural areas, most patients had scald burn 43.9%, with second degree of burns and total body surface area (TBSA) <50%. About the outcome, 38.3% died. We found a significant (P-value >0.05) association between the fate of burned patients and the age, gender, place of burn, degree of burns, TBSA involved, and the presence of inhalational injury. Conclusion: The majority of the burned patients were male children, with scald burns, second-degree burns, and TBSA more than 50%. The mean age was 18.67 ± 16.81 years. The mortality rate was 38.3% and increased with age, female gender, flame burn, TBSA more than 50%, and with inhalation injuries.