Factors Influencing Treatment Delays and Outcomes in Paediatric Burn Patients Admitted at Bugando Medical Centre and Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital Mwanza, Tanzania.
- Mwanza, Tanzania | Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS-Bugando] | 2024.
- 96 Pages Includes References
Abstract:
Background: Burns are a major global public health issue, resulting in approximately 180,000 deaths annually. While challenges in burn care are well-documented, this study was important to conduct in our setup because most previous research focused on the patterns, causes, and management of burn injuries. However, there was no current data on the prevalence of treatment delays, and factors influencing treatment delays research focusing on the specific factors influencing treatment delays, and their impact on outcomes, especially in pediatric burn populations, remains limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the proportion of treatment delays, the outcomes associated with these delays, and the factors influencing them among children admitted with burn injuries at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) and Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 295 children aged 1 to 5 years who sustained burn injuries from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. Data were collected using a structured checklist that extracted information from medical records. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and measures of association, such as odds ratios and relative risk, to identify relationships between independent variables and outcomes.
Results: Among the 295 children studied, 57.5% received treatment within 24 hours, while 16.2% experienced early delays and 26.3% faced late delays. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) greater than 30.1% significantly predicted delays, with children in this category being 2.728 times more likely to experience delays (COR: 2.728, p = 0.027). Age was also a critical factor; children aged 22-42 years had a COR of 2.746, indicating they were nearly 2.7 times more likely to face delays than those under 21 (p < 0.001). Geographic location influenced treatment timelines, with children from Ukerewe showing a reduced risk of delays (COR: 0.085, p = 0.027). The cause of the burn also mattered, with electrical burns being associated with higher delays (COR: 6.849, p = 0.088). Furthermore, patients utilizing exemption services were more than three times as likely to experience delays compared to cash-paying patients (COR: 3.262, p < 0.001). Regarding treatment outcomes, significant mortality differences were noted. Patients aged 22 to 42 years were over three times more likely to have adverse outcomes compared to those under 21 (COR = 3.516, p = 0.039). The health facility where the treatment occurred also played a critical role, with patients at Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital showing a significantly higher mortality risk compared to those treated at Bugando Medical Centre (COR = 0.188, p < 0.001).
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study concludes that significant treatment delays are linked to poorer outcomes among pediatric burn patients. Targeted interventions aimed at improving early recognition and timely treatment, along with addressing socio-demographic factors affecting access to care, are essential for enhancing health outcomes.
Wurzburg Road 35, Premises, Post Code: 33102 | P. O. Box 1464 Mwanza, Tanzania | Phone: (255) 28-298-3384 | Fax: (255) 28-298-3386 | Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz | Website: www.bugando.ac.tz