Public Health and clinical approach to prevent childhood burns in Kenya
Jess Medland1, 1Peninsula Health, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
Background
Exposure to paediatric burns in rural Kenya as a volunteer Occupational Therapist, prompted the initiation of a community burns prevention program. “Mama Cynthia Kenya” hosts workshops in collaboration local allied health professionals.
Aim
To explore and compare the public health and clinical approaches to burns prevention in children under 18 years of age in Kenya. Key findings informed the update of a Swahili burns prevention poster for burns prevention workshops.
Methods
Review of literature on paediatric burns in Kenya, including the comparison of risks and protective considerations. Plus evaluation of current strategies trialled in low to middle income countries (LMIC).
The clinical approach reviewed literature on treatment of burns in the clinical context. Followed by collaboration with local professionals in Kenya on their approach.
Result
In Kenya, the vast majority of paediatric burn injuries are unintentional and occur in an unsupervised home setting (Mutsio et al. 2014). The leading cause of burns in Kenyan children is scalds, followed by flame burns, while contact, chemical and electrical burns occur in smaller numbers (Mutsio et al. 2014). Ten key risk factors in a typical rural Kenyan home were identified and strategies incorporated into the updated Swahili burns prevention poster, including establish a protective barrier around cooking fires. First aid measures were incorporated, due to widespread hazardous practices taking place such as applying oil to wounds (Dale et al, 2013). The clinical approach aims to minimise post-burn injury through optimising first aid and treatment. There remains a significant disparity between treatment in LMIC and high-income countries, therefore it is more important to focus on the public health approach to the issue.
Conclusion
Prevention is better than a cure, especially when faced with the limitation of an under resourced health system in Kenya.
References supplied on request (limited by word count)
Biography
Dr Jess Medland is currently a Senior Plastics resident at Peninsula Health. Prior to medicine she worked as a Hand Therapist and established a charitable organisation Mama Cynthia in rural Kenya. For over a decade Jess has focused on community burn prevention programs and improving post-operative rehabilitation.