Social and medical determinants of burn-related mortality in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Burns and heat-related injuries often lead to mortality and great financial and social costs. This study aimed at investigating the social determinants of burn-related mortalities in a burn specialized hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional data secondary analysis study was conducted through the data related to burn patients hospitalized to burn specialized Imam Musa Kazim hospital, Isfahan, Iran, in a 4-year period. The data were extracted using Hospital's Information System, and analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results: Among 3290 burn patients, 740 (22.49) had passed away. The highest mortality percentage was observed in women (31.1), aged higher than 60 years old (35.8), in patients with low-financial status (27.4), patients come from cities other than Isfahan (25.4), and in Total Burn Surface Area (TBSA) of higher than 71 (86.6). The results of logistic regression test showed that burn-related mortality is 50 lower in men compared to women (odds ratio OR = 0.50), 16% lower in 41-60 years of age group compared to over 60 years of age group (OR = 0.16), 41% higher in people with low financial status compared to those with high financial status (OR = 1.41) and 4% lower in people with 31-70 TBSA compared to those with TBCA higher than 71% (OR = 0.04). Conclusion: Burn-related mortality could be associated with treatment and health care as well as social factors. Therefore, parallel to hospital care and physical conditions of the burn patients, social factors including gender, age, income level, and place residence need to be addressed in burn policies to reduce burn-related mortalities.