A systematic review of burn injuries in low- and middle-income countries: Epidemiology in the WHO-defined African Region

Abstract

IntroductionAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), burns result in the loss of approximately 18 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) and more than 250,000 deaths each year, more than 90% of which are in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The epidemiology of these injuries, especially in the WHO-defined African Region, has yet to be adequately defined.MethodsWe performed a systematic review of the literature regarding the epidemiology of thermal, chemical, and electrical burns in the WHO-defined African Region. All articles indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Global Health, and the Cochrane Library databases as of October 2015 were included.ResultsThe search resulted in 12,568 potential abstracts. Through multiple rounds of screening using criteria determined a priori, 81 manuscripts with hospital-based epidemiology as well as eleven manuscripts that included population-based epidemiology were identified. Although the studies varied in methodology, several trends were noted: young children appear to be at most risk; most individuals were burned at home; and hot liquids and flame are the most common aetiologies.DiscussionWhile more population-based research is essential to identifying specific risk factors for targeted prevention strategies, our review identifies consistent trends for initial efforts at eliminating these often devastating and avoidable injuries.

Effects of topical treatment of second-degree burn wounds with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the wound healing process in male rats

“…In the experimental groups, rats received an ointment that was a uniform mixture of bacteria with Eucerin in a daily schedule for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after the wound induction. Rats in vehicle control groups received daily Eucerin ointment for the same days as the corresponding experimental groups and the rats in negative control groups, until the days of their euthanaization (days1, 3,7,14), received no treatments. For prevention of licking the woundtreated-area by other rats, after induction of burn wounds, all the animals kept in separate cages.…”

“…Thermal injuries are always one of the risks that threats human health. Annually, many new cases of burns occur in the world, especially in low and middle-income countries (1)(2)(3), like the countries in Middle East region that may cause inability or even death of the injured ones (3). One of the most important functions of the skin, as the largest body organ, is its barrier function against the entry of pathogenic agents to the internal environment of the body.…”

Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching Module on Knowledge Regarding First Aid for Selected Home Accidents Among Mothers of Under Five Children in Selected Aganwadis of Shivrajpur, Kanpur.

“…More than 90% of the burden of burn injury borne by low and middle income countries. [7] Childhood falls and their complications is a leading cause of the global burden of disease. While falls don't rank in the top 15 cause of death for children under 15years, they rank 13 th as a leading cause of disability adjusted life years.…”

Risk Factors of Mortality of Hospitalised Adult Burn Patients a Malawian Tertiary Hospital Burns Unit

“…A burn is defined as an injury to the skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by heat or due to radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction or contact with chemicals. (1)It is estimated that 90% of the worldwide burns associated mortality are in the low and middle income countries with Africa alone accounting for 15% of burns mortality(2,3) A systematic review of scientific papers from 14 African countries showed that Malawi has the highest burns related mortality in Southern Africa (22%) which is also higher than the average burn mortality of Africa (17%) for all age groups. (4) Despite the estimated significant burden of disease, there is paucity of data on the quality of burn care and outcomes in Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa in general.…”

“…(4) Despite the estimated significant burden of disease, there is paucity of data on the quality of burn care and outcomes in Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. There is also a lack of established mechanisms to reduce burn related mortality and morbidity(2) We undertook, to the best of our knowledge, the first ever retrospective study of burns among adult patients from 17 years old and above admitted in the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) burns unit from 1 st June 2007 to 31 st May 2017 with the aim of determining the prevalence and risk factors of mortality among them.…”