Burn mortality in Bangladesh: Findings of national health and injury survey

Abstract Objective The study was designed to explore the epidemiology of burn mortality in Bangladesh. Methods A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and December 2003. Nationally representative data was collected from 171,366 rural and urban households, comprising of a total population of 819,429. Results Overall mortality burn rate was 2.2 per 100,000 populations per year. The rate was higher amongst females. Most of the deaths were accidental in nature, only 5% of deaths were from self-inflected burn. The rate was higher amongst the rural population compared to the urban population. About 90% of the burn incidences were at home with the kitchen the most frequent place at home for burn incidence to occur. A majority, 89%, of the deaths were caused by flame burn. Cooking fire, heating fire and fire from kerosene lamps were the major sources of flames. The majority of burn deaths occurred during winter season. Conclusion Burn is a considerable cause of death in Bangladesh. Females, rural dwellers and populations of low socioeconomic condition are more vulnerable to burn injury. With simple intervention many of the deaths due to burn can be prevented. Considering the magnitude of the problem it is very important to address it as a public health problem and develop a national burn prevention program.