title: Epidemiology of burns in a major referral hospital in Brunei Darussalam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burn injuries are a public health concern across the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, where epidemiological data is lacking. This retrospective study was conducted to assess the epidemiology of patients with burns treated at a major referral hospital in Brunei Darussalam, with particular reference to demographics and aetiology.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were referred to and treated at the Burns Unit, where data was recorded by the on-duty nurse on a pre-designed form at the first attendance. A total of 211 patients (111 male, 100 female), comprising 10 inpatients and 201 outpatients, were treated during the study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of the patients was 19.6 ± 20.9 (median 10, range < 1-90) years. 67 (32%) patients were under two years of age. Scalding due to hot liquids was the most common cause (78.2%), followed by flame and contact burns. The majority of burns were sustained indoors either at home or at work (87.2%). The total body surface area (TBSA%) for the whole sample was 3.7% ± 7.9% (median 2%; range 1%-90%). Patients with flame burns (n = 19) were older and had larger TBSA% (p < 0.05). Inpatients had significantly higher TBSA% compared to outpatients (28.2% ± 26% versus 2.5% ± 2.1%; p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Scald burns sustained indoors are the most common across all age groups. Although the TBSA is small, a large number of children are affected. There is a need for burns prevention education programme in Brunei Darussalam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan BA 1710, Negara Brunei Darussalam. ketanpande@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Pande
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Ishak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002010:Brunei / Q000453:epidemiology; D002053:Burn Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult