A review of burns treated over a one-year period at Mpilo Central Hospital, Zimbabwe.

A retrospective study is presented of 297 patients (57% male and 43% female) treated for burns at Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 1991. Of the patients, 73% were in the paediatric age group, 60% of whom were under 5 years of age. Most burns occurred at home (90%), with the majority occurring in the kitchen (61%). The commonest burning agent was hot water (55%). Open-fire burns accounted for 18% of cases. The surface area of burns ranged from 1% to 80% with a mean of 7%. The majority of patients (84%) had superficial thickness burns. Only 6% of the patients required active resuscitation with intravenous fluids. A total of 159 organisms were isolated on 111 pus swabs. The most commonly isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (66%). Seven patients (five children and two adults) died, giving a mortality rate of 2%. Although it is desirable to have a purpose-built burns unit this study shows that satisfactory results can be achieved with limited facilities. In our practice, where 90% of burns occur in the home situation, an active public-education campaign would help to reduce the incidence of burns.

Occupational burns as seen in a major industrial city in Zimbabwe.

A retrospective study of 22 male patients treated at Mpilo Central Hospital for occupational burns between January 1991 and December 1992 is presented. The mean age was 36 years (range 18-62 years). Forty five pc of the patients were general labourers and 55 pc were semi skilled workers. The commonest burning agent was open fire in 32 pc of cases. A wide variety of other burning agents was recorded. The surface area of burns ranged from one pc to 88 pc with a mean of 21 pc. Partial thickness and full thickness burns accounted for 48 pc of cases. Thirty two pc of cases required active resuscitation with intravenous fluids. The average duration of stay in hospital was 29 days (range 2-235 days). Three patients with severe burns died giving a mortality rate of 14 pc. As the city of Bulawayo becomes more industrialised the need for a purpose built burns unit to deal with these severe injuries warrants serious consideration. In the meantime attention should be focused on various aspects of burns prevention at the work place.