Epidemiological patterns of victims of burns in Punjab province of Pakistan: A social context

Objectives: To review the epidemiological patterns of victims of burn in Punjab province of Pakistan between 2004 and 2005 with respect to social conext. Method: Secondary data of two years, 2004 and 2005 from Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) was analyzed and compared. Variables compared were modes of burn incidents, the total deaths and the reasons for burns, events and circumstances leading to burns, relation with victim, victim's age and marital status. Results: Total incidences of burns were 145 in 2004 as compare to 77 in 2005. In 2004, burns because of acid thrown were 21 (females: 76.2%, n=16; males: 9.5%, n=2), cylinder explosion, electric shock and pressure cooker explosion causes 2 incidences each. Incidents because of “fire” were 52 (females: 100%, n=52), fire caught from stove were 46 (females: 95.6%, n=44, males: 2.2%, n=1) and burns due to the category “Others” were 20 (females: 80.0%, n=16, males: 20.0%, n=4).Similar pattern is seen in 2005, with females being the majority victims. Main reason for burns in both years was found to be accidental (n=55, 37.9% in 2004; n=42, 54.5% in 2005) with fire being the major culprit (n=52, 35.9% in 2004; n=24, 31.2% in 2005). Domestic issues cause most of the burn incidences (n=19, 24.7%) in 2005. In major, culprit's relations with victims remained unknown in both years followed by husbands (n=37, 25.5% in 2004; n=14, 18.2% in 2005) Conclusion: Females were over represented in both years. There were consistency in modes, reasons and circumstances leading to burns.