Socio-demographic factors which significantly relate to the prediction of burns severity in children.

backgroundBurns are considered one of the biggest wounds and the most devastating injuries humans can receive as they have prolonged consequences which are not only physical, but psychological in addition to the cost of treatment. The aim of the study was to explore the relationships between socio-demographic factors (SDF) and the incidence and mechanisms of burn injuries in children. The objectives were to identify the multiple and various factors responsible for the occurrence of significant burns in children; to explore and investigate the relationship between these factors; to critically analyse SDF on the incidence and mechanisms of burns and to develop a contextual model with a view to informing future health care policy and health promotion programmes.

methodsThis observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed in a UK Paediatric Burn Centre in the West Midlands. The research process followed the requirements for obtaining a PhD degree. The quantitative arm of this study consisted of a postal questionnaire sent to 228 parents and guardians who had visited the Burns Centre with a child during a one-year period (1

results160 completed questionnaires were returned and analysed. Several key SDF were identified that linked to an increase in the incidence of burns in children. Burn injuries was significantly higher in children ≤ 5 years old (P<0.001) and male children (58.1%). Burns were more frequent in minority ethnic groups (p<0.001); younger aged parents ≤ 25 years old (p=0.048); and children living with single parents (p=0.001). A majority of burns cases resulted from spills (74.4%) and during mealtimes (p<0.001). The distributions of the Index Multiple Deprivation (IMD) was not the same across ethnic groups (p<0.002), and burns in children was significant (p<0.0005) in families living in social accommodation.

conclusionThe findings potentially may have clinical utility in informing future health care policy and health promotion/education programmes. Consideration must be given to the timings of such programmes, which relate to treat significant burns in non-specialised hospitals.