A retrospective study of burns patients at a major government referral hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Evaluating Burn Injuries at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown

“…4,8,19 However, this dynamic appears to be changing with the adoption of western lifestyles in many LMICs. 13,15 The findings of our study, in which the vast majority of cases are in the paediatric age groups, seem to support this trend. However, it is worth noting that the proportion of burn injuries among the elderly above 65 years old in our study is zero.…”

“…Similarly, while the age distribution remains predominantly paediatric in both studies, the prevalence of scalds as the primary cause of burn injuries has risen from 73% to 80%. 13 The gender distribution of burns reported in literature has not consistently favored any particular gender. vation likely reflects cultural expectations for female children to assist their mothers in the kitchen, increasing their exposure to open flames and hot liquids as they grow older.…”

“…Compared with reports from studies conducted in Sierra Leone over the past two decades, the trajectory of burns as shown by the current study at the country's primary surgical referral hospital has not changed significantly. 12,13 A household burn survey conducted approximately ten years ago revealed that 3.98% of participants had experienced at least one burn injury. 12 The same study also indicated that paediatric age groups were predominantly affected, with scalds responsible for almost 90% of the burn injuries.…”

“…3,6 Comparing our findings with those reported by Jackson-Cole et al a decade earlier from the same hospital, we observed a slight reduction in weekly burn injury cases, from 1.67 to 1.4. 13 However, there has been a notable shift in the gender predominance; the male-to-female ratio has changed from 1:0.79 to 1:0.67, indicating an increase in male predominance. Similarly, while the age distribution remains predominantly paediatric in both studies, the prevalence of scalds as the primary cause of burn injuries has risen from 73% to 80%.…”

“…6,11 For example, a literature search using "burns" and "Sierra Leone" as keywords on ISSN: 3007-4487 Google Scholar yielded just three burns-specific articles: an abstract of a conference presentation, a case report of a tanker explosion, and a community-based study. [12][13][14] This retrospective study at Connaught Hospital within the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown, aims to augment the knowledge base of burn injuries in Sierra Leone by investigating the pattern of presentation and outcomes of burn injuries, thereby aiding stakeholders in comprehending and addressing the issue more effectively.…”