Burn-related physical impairments and disabilities in Ghanaian children: prevalence and risk factors

Am J Public Health. 1996 Jan;86(1):81-3. doi: 10.2105/ajph.86.1.81.

Abstract

The prevalence, and risk factors for childhood burn-related physical impairments and disabilities in Ghana were determined with data from mothers of burned children. Of 650 identified burns 113 (174%) resulted in physical impairments, 5 (1%) resulted in physical disabilities. After multivariate adjustment, the odds of developing burn-related physical impairments were increased by burns with protracted healing (odds ratio [OR] = 5.80), burns to the head/neck (OR = 344), burns involving skin removal (OR = 3.04), and wound infection (OR = 2.03) and decreased by first aid (OR = 0.51) and maternal education (OR = 0.54). Education on the proper care of burns may prevent burn-related physical impairments. The results also underscore the link between maternal education and child morbidity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Burns / complications
  • Burns / epidemiology*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Disabled Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Ghana / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Random Allocation
  • Risk Factors