Epidemiology of burn injuries in South-Eastern Iran: A retrospective study

Objective: To explore the epidemiology of burn injuries in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran. Methods: A retrospective review of 730 medical records, of burnt patients, for a period of two years was done. Pre-designed data recording forms were used to collect data. The SPSS-15 was used to analyze data. Results: Overall, 713 medical records were analyzed: two-thirds (62.0%) were fire-related and one-third related to scalds (33.1%). Intentional self-harm injuries accounted for 14.3% of all admissions. A significant difference existed between patients age or sex and the causes of burns (P 0.001). Burns more than 60% closely correlated with death rate and hospital stay (P 0.001). Conclusion: Lack of the necessary, socio-economic infrastructure, language and cultural barriers, low level of literacy, flammability of women s clothes and unsafe application/design of stove and heaters are likely to contribute to the high frequency of burn injuries in this area.