El accidente de quemadura en Santiago de Chile

Abstract

A prevalence study on burns occured in one year period in Santiago, is reported. The study was carried out through a Population Health Survey in a representative sample of 1000 homes and 4645 individuals. Ninety subjects suffered some kind of burns, mild or severe; children under five showed the highest prevalence, duplicating that of general population. This type of accident was more frequent in males under 15 years of age and in females older than 15. Home was the most likely place for burns to occur; hot meals and beverages (including water) were the most common causative agents. Upper extremities, specially hands concentrated over two thirds of total burns. Most of individuals received home non professional care; only one hospitalization was reported which was a child under 1 year. Functional disability to work or go to school ranges from 0 to 12 days. No significant difference as to socioeconomic level were observed.