Introduction: 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).
Conclusion: 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.