Prevalence, Body Pattern And Bacteriological Susceptibility Of Chronic Burn Wounds At Udom Affiliated Teaching Hospitals, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Burn injury is a highly prevalent problem globally, nationally and locally, burn occurs when hot liquids, hot solids or flames destroy part or all of the cells in the skin or other tissues. With advancements in management of burn, over the last 50 years, infection is now the leading cause of death after extensive burn injuries.

Objectives. To determine prevalence, body pattern and bacteriological susceptibility of chronic burn wound at UDOM affiliated teaching hospitals.

Methodology. A Descriptive Cross-Sectional hospital based research study was conducted from June 2018 to May 2019 involving patients with chronic burn wounds at UDOM affiliated teaching hospitals, a sample size of 86 patients who were diagnosed clinically were recruited, Data were collected by using semi structured questionnaires, surface swab by using Levine technique were taken from the chronic burn wounds for culture and bacterial susceptibility. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 20.

Results

A total of 86 patients with chronic burn wounds participated in the study; males were 46 (53.5%) and females 40 (46.5%).

The age range of participants was from 1 year to 43 years with median of 3 years; the commonest age group was 1-4 years 54 (62.8%)

Scald was the most common type of burn wounds 73 (84.9%). Majority of wounds occurred above umbilicus 45(52.%) with an overall prevalence of chronic burn wounds in the current study of 29.5%.

Majority of chronic burn wounds patient 45(52.3%) sustained deep second degree burns.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most common isolated pathogen in this study and most were sensitive to Meropenem and were resistant to Ampiclox, Amoxicillin and Ceftriaxone

Conclusion and Recommendations

Overall prevalence of chronic burn wounds in the current study was high 29.5%. Chronic burn wounds are still a challenge in UDOM affiliated teaching hospitals. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most common isolated pathogen in this study, and the use of Meropenem would treat most infections.

Ampiclox, Amoxicillin and Ceftriaxone antibiotics are no longer potent in treatments of chronic burn wound infections in UDOM affiliated teaching hospitals.