Socioeconomic deprivation and burns

Abstract Burns are a complex phenomenon with multiple interactive factors. Age, ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation have been identified in the literature as important determinants of this form of injury. Objective The primary objective of this study was to undertake a descriptive analysis of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Burns 2010-05, Vol.36 (3), p.403-408
Main Authors: Mistry, R.M, Pasisi, L, Chong, S, Stewart, J, She, R.B. Wong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age
Age Distribution
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Burn
Burns
Burns - epidemiology
Burns - ethnology
Child
Child, Preschool
Critical Care
Deprivation
Ethnicity
Female
Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Maori
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
New Zealand - epidemiology
Pacific
Poverty Areas
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic
Socioeconomic Factors
Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Burns are a complex phenomenon with multiple interactive factors. Age, ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation have been identified in the literature as important determinants of this form of injury. Objective The primary objective of this study was to undertake a descriptive analysis of the socioeconomic factors associated with burn injuries in New Zealand. This analysis will help to identify those individuals at greatest risk of burn and assist with the design of targeted interventions that are more likely to be effective. Method A retrospective review of the medical records of patients admitted acutely to hospital in New Zealand with a burn between 1996 and 2006. We reviewed the records with regards to patient demographics and socioeconomic position. Results A total of 14,708 admissions were reviewed. Stratification by age indicated that admissions were highest in the 0–4-year age group. The rate of admission was highest in the Maori ethnic group. The rate of admissions increased in proportion with increasing deprivation. Conclusion This study confirms marked ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in burn injuries requiring hospital admission. This is unacceptable and preventable. We propose active targeting of burn prevention strategies at high-risk groups as a cost-effective way of reducing disparities.
ISSN:0305-4179
1879-1409
1879-1409
DOI:10.1016/j.burns.2009.05.021