Burns as a Health Problem Among Filipinos

What is a burn?

A burn in human being is an injury caused by elements with a temperature that is over a level tolerable by the human body.

The skin is the most common part of the human body affected by burns. However, depending on the degree and duration of the burn, the deeper parts of the body like the muscles and even the bones can be burned.

What is the impact of burns on the health of individuals, families, and communities?

For the Individuals –

Burn can cause death, disability, and psychosocial impairment on the affected persons.

For the families –

Burn can cause impoverishment.

Burn can cause psychosocial impairment among relatives of patients with burns.

For the communities –

Burn can cause impoverishment.

Burn can cause psychosocial impairment among the citizenry of the affected community.

What are the more common types of burns?

Flame burns – caused by fire from whatever source like cigarette and leaking gas

Scald burns – caused by hot liquid or substance

Electrical burns – caused by electric currents

Inhalation burns – in the respiratory tract caused by inhalation of smoke from fire

What are the different degrees of surface burns?

First-degree burns

– involves epidermal layer of the skin

– painful, red and blanches to touch

– Example: sunburns

Second-degree burns

Superficial

– involves epidermis and dermis of the skin above the reticular layer

– painful, reddish, with blisters

– Example: scald burns from boiling water

Deep

– involves the skin up to the reticular layer

– very painful, pale, and mottled

Third-degree burns

– involves the skin up to the subcutaneous tissue

– not painful, appear cherry red, black, or white, dry leathery texture (eschar)

What are the more common causes of burns?

Unintentional

Accident

Negligence / ignorance

No fire safety measures

Not prepared to deal with fire

Intentional

Suicide

Felony / crime / arson / bomb explosion

What is the magnitude of burns as a health problem among Filipinos?

Year	Fire Incidents	Damage to Property (PhP)	No. of Filipinos burned /died /disabled*
2003	8,370	4.1 billion	No data
2004	10,237	5.1 billion	700 civilians injured; 270 killed
2005	Jan - 960		No data
	Feb - 174		No data

Data from the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Philippine Star, March 6, 2005; Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 13, 2005

· Tragic fire incidents:

Speaker de Venecia’s House Fire – Ms. KC de Venecia as casualty (2004)

Manor Hotel Fire (2001 – 70 died)

Lung Center Fire (1998 – 25 died)

Settlement House – Orphanage Fire (1998 – 28 died)

Ozone Disco Fire (1996 -154 teenagers died)

What are recommended strategies to reduce burns as a health problem among Filipinos?

Fire and Burns Prevention Consciousness and Preparedness

Goal: To prevent fire anywhere at all costs and if fire occurs, to be prepared to control it so as to maximally avoid physical injuries to persons and loss of properties.

Fire and Burns Prevention Tips – Avoid fire hazards in establishments and among people’s life style practices and behavior

Structural Prevention Tips (basically through legislation)

Behavioral Prevention Tips (basically through education)

Fire and Burns Control Tips (basically through public health education)

General Fire Safety Tips

• Don’t smoke in bed.
• Don’t let alone a lighted candle or a gas lamp.
• Crush or wet cigarette/ cigar stub before discarding.
• Switch off main switch when leaving the house.
• Keep matches and lighters in a safe place and away from children.
• Avoid octopus connections.
• Check gas leaks before using the stove.
• Place oil or gas lamps away from curtain and put out the flame before sleeping.
• Never store volatile and flammable substance in your house or keep them away from kitchen or hot places.
• Extinguish with water live charcoals and embers after cooking barbecue.
• Don’t set bonfires on windy days or let your children play with it.
• Don’t use flimsy, fast burning fabrics.
• Install a fire alarm and fire extinguisher in the house.

In Case of Fire – What To Do Tips

1. Don’t panic.
2. Call 117.
3. Yell and make noise enough to be heard by neighbors.
4. Find the fire escape.
5. Avoid inhaling the smoke – wet any available cloth/towel/handkerchief and cover your mouth.
6. Get out of the house. Don’t attempt to save valuables.

Burn Control Tips

1. Eliminate heat source.

2. Clean burn wounds right away with tepid water.

3. Cover the wound with clean dressings.

4. Go to the nearest hospital or consult a physician right away.

Who are the primary physician-specialists in burn injuries?

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and their colleagues in rehabilitation medicine and nurses

List of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in Manila Doctors Hospital who can help burned patients

Dr. Florencio Lucero

Dr. Eduardo Gonzales

Dr. Glenn Genuino

Dr. Eric Arcilla

How is Manila Doctors Hospital contributing to the strategies to reduce burns as a health problem among Filipinos?

Participation in the advocacy on fire prevention at the level of individuals, families, and communities

Participation in the advocacy on fire prevention in hospitals

Establishment of a model Fire Prevention and Preparedness

Program in Manila Doctors Hospital

` Public health education on how to reduce burn injuries

MARCH IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH