Children With Burn Contractures in Rural Areas of Northern Bangladesh: Etiology, Acute Burn Management, and Recommendations of the Parents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Burn contractures severely affect quality of life. In this study, we examined burn causes, acute management, and caregiver recommendations for children with contractures from burns in rural northern Bangladesh. MATERIALS & METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods retrospective study using both quantitative and qualitative data. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 22 children with burn contractures who received surgical care at the Friendship Emirates Floating Hospital in rural northern Bangladesh. Seven caregivers were selected for in-depth interviews. RESULTS: The study included 22 children (age range of 6 months to 12 years) with contractures affecting joints like the hand, foot, neck, axilla, and elbow. Burns from hot fluids (n = 9; 40.9%) were most common, often occurring during cooking. Immediate cooling for more than 5 minutes was absent in 41% of cases. Most caregivers sought care from village doctors or traditional healers. Recommendations from caregivers included promoting safe cooking practices to prevent burns. CONCLUSIONS: High burn injury rates in young children and resulting contractures underscored the need for improved burn management in rural Bangladesh. The study highlighted a lack of initial cooling and a knowledge gap among caregivers and local health care providers in seeking effective treatment. Targeted burn prevention campaigns based on caregiver insights could reduce injury rates and contractures, improving children’s quality of life.