Factors Related to Electrical Burn Injuries in Occupational and Nonoccupational Settings From 2010 to 2021 in Colombia: Cross-Sectional Design

Abstract

Abstract Burns affect 11 million people worldwide annually. Electrical burns (EBs) are renowned for inflicting extensive harm and long-term consequences that can lead to severe illnesses and fatalities. People in both occupational and nonoccupational settings may be exposed to EBs, leading to functional or anatomical consequences. We identified sociodemographic features related to EBs in both settings. A cross-sectional design, using an open dataset of electrical shock injuries that occurred in Colombia during the 2010-2021 period, was carried out. Sociodemographic features of people injured in occupational and nonoccupational settings were described in counts (%), incidence per 100 000 people (I0; 95% CI). To identify related factors (age-sex adjusted) with injuries in occupational and nonoccupational settings, we applied a binary logistic regression. Over the 12-year period, there were 1.274 EBs (I0: 2.47; 2.34-2.61), 287 in the occupational setting (I0: 1.35; 1.20-1.51), and 987 in the nonoccupational setting (I0: 3.25; 3.05-3.46). Age median was 31 years, and most cases were distributed in middle adulthood (52.8%), males (88.1%), high school/technician (42.8%), urban location (73.7%), weekdays (95.3%), and daytime hours (85.5%). Factors related to EBs in the occupational setting were males, middle adulthood, high school/technician, Thursday, and daytime hours. Other factors related to EBs in the nonoccupational setting were early childhood, primary school, urban location, and weekends. Both settings pose a risk of injuries to individuals. We have identified sociodemographic factors related to these injuries in both occupational and nonoccupational settings, which could aid in preventing damages and long-term complications, especially among vulnerable subgroups such as those determined above.