Epidemiology of burns in the United Arab Emirates: Lessons for prevention

Purpose

To study mechanism, risk factors and outcome of hospitalized burns so as to give recommendations for prevention.

Methods

Burn patients admitted to Al Ain hospital for more than 24 h or who died after arrival were studied over 4 years. Demographics, burn type, location and time of injury, total body burned surface area (TBSA), body region, hospital and ICU stay and outcome were analyzed.

Results

203 patients were studied, 69% were males and 25% were children under 5 years old. The most common location for burn was home. Women were burned more at home (p < 0.0001). 28% of patients were injured at work with more men (p < 0.0001) and non-UAE nationals (p < 0.01). Scalds from water, tea were the major hazard at home, while majority of burns at work were from gas and flame. Burns caused by gas and flame had larger TBSA and longer ICU stay. Six (3%) patients died and nine (4%) were transferred to the specialized burn center.

Conclusions

Safety education for caregivers and close supervision of young children is important to reduce pediatric burns. Occupational safety education of young men could prevent burns caused by gas and flame.