title: Epidemiology of burn injuries in south-eastern Iran: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the epidemiology of burn injuries in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 730 medical records, of burnt patients, for a period of two years was done. Predesigned data recording forms were used to collect data. The SPSS-15 was used to analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 713 medical records were analyzed: two-thirds (62.0%) were fire-related and one-third related to scalds (33.1%). Intentional self-harm injuries accounted for 14.3% of all admissions. A significant difference existed between patients' age or sex and the causes of burns (P < 0.001). Burns more than 60% closely correlated with death rate and hospital stay (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lack of the necessary, socio-economic infrastructure, language and cultural barriers, low level of literacy, flammability of women's clothes and unsafe application/design of stove and heaters are likely to contribute to the high frequency of burn injuries in this area.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research Centre & Faculty of Health, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ansari-Moghaddam
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research Centre & Faculty of Health, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Abdolvahab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baghbanian
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research Centre & Faculty of Health, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dogoonchi
authors.affiliation: Khatam Hospital, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chooban
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research Centre & Faculty of Health, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Mahboobeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mostaghim-Roudi
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, The University of Sydney.
authors.forename: Ghazal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torkfar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors