Cases of burns reported to health facilities in the Volta Region of Ghana, 2019–2023

Abstract

Introduction

Burn injuries represent a significant public health challenge in Ghana, highlighting the need for an improved surveillance system to improve the quality of epidemiological data for an informed decision making. This study aimed to present the incidence, trends, and distribution of burns in the Volta region of Ghana from 2019 to 2023.

Method

A retrospective secondary data analysis of burns data from the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS-2) was conducted from 2019 to 2023. Burn injuries were retrieved from the OPD morbidity report form whiles deaths from burns were retrieved from the cause of death report. Data was analysed descriptively with Microsoft Excel and Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS), with results presented in tables and graphs.

Results

A total of 4,441 cases of burn injuries were reported between 2019 and 2023 with 20 cases resulting in death. Nearly 59 % of burns involved females. About a third (33.9 %) of cases involved persons aged 0–4 years. The overall average incidence of burn injuries was 51 per 100,000 population, with the highest incidence of 80 per 100,000 population reported in 2019.

Conclusion

Burns are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the Volta Region of Ghana. There is however scanty data on the epidemiology of the condition in the region.