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 24h 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.
['Grivna|Michal|M|', 'Eid|Hani O|HO|', 'Abu-Zidan|Fikri M|FM|']
D000061:Accidents, Home D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D017677:Age Distribution D000368:Aged D002056:Burns D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D005260:Female D006760:Hospitalization D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D007902:Length of Stay D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D060051:Occupational Injuries D012307:Risk Factors D017678:Sex Distribution D014479:United Arab Emirates D055815:Young Adult
Burn United Arab Emirates Prevention Scalds Flame