Burn-Related Violence Against Women in the United States: Findings From the ABA Burn Registry

Abstract

Abstract Violence against women is a global public health problem. Centers for Disease Control and Precention (CDC) data show 41% of US women have experienced intimate partner violence. Burn-related violence against women is an extremely confronting form of physical violence. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, demographics, injury characteristics, and outcomes of women admitted to US burn centers who have experienced burn violence compared to those with accidental burn injuries. 2008-2018 data were comparative statistics were used to describe/compare groups. 54 523 women met study inclusion criteria. 956 (2%) experienced burn violence. Women who experienced burn violence had a younger median [IQR] age (36 [27,48] vs 47 [32,61], P < .0001), were Black/African American (44.5% vs 22.4%, P < .0001), were covered by Medicaid (38.8% vs 21.6%, P < .0001), had a higher median [IQR] %TBSA extent (6.0% [3,15.2] vs 3.0% [1,7.3], P < .0001), a higher proportion with third-degree burns (35.4% vs 28.9%, P < .0001), and a higher proportion with TBSA > 20% (18.2% vs 6.7%, P < .0001). Scald/flame injuries were the most frequent mechanism of injury. Women who experienced violence had a higher median [IQR] length of hospital stay (7.0 [2,18] vs 4.0 [1,11] days, P <.0001), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay (8.5 [2,27] vs 4 [2,13] days, P < .0001), and mortality rate (5.7% vs 4.3%, P < .04). The frequency of women who sustained burn violence appears small yet experience worse outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of these demographic/clinical characteristics to provide optimal care to this vulnerable population.