Population-based assessment of burn injury in southern Iowa: identification of children and young-adult at-risk groups and behaviors

Abstract

Although nonfatal burn injuries vastly outnumber fatal injuries, their epidemiology is not well defined. We sought to determine the epidemiology of nonfatal burn injuries in a largely rural region of a midwestern state to target intervention efforts at populations and injury mechanisms at risk. Data were retrospectively collected on a population-based sample of medically treated burn injuries in 10 counties in southern Iowa from 1997 to 1999 using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes (ICD-9-CM, Ncode 940-949) to identify burn-related emergency room visits from computerized lists. A total of 1430 emergency room visits were identified, with 1382 records available for review. Injuries were grouped into etiology subcategories to better delineate common mechanisms and determine methods of prevention. Scald and hot-object contact and flame-related injuries were the leading causes of burn injury. Scald and contact injuries were subdivided into three major sets of scenarios, scald and contact injuries related to household food preparation and consumption, work-related scald and contact injuries. and injuries resulting from contact with nonfood and nonbeverage-related household objects. Children ages 0 to 4 had the highest population-based scald and hot-object contact injury rate of all age groups, with an average annual incidence rate of 35.9 per 10,000. Injuries in this age group were most commonly related to household objects (34.7%) followed by food preparation (25.3%). Children and young adults ages 5 to 24 were also the most likely to be injured by flame and fire-related causes secondary to open fires. Nonfatal burn injuries typically afflict children and young adults in definable patterns, suggesting intervention strategies. Future studies need to better delineate the contributing factors associated with these injuries to refine the intervention strategies.