Introduction: Burn and ingestion injuries are common in developing countries because of
poor access to safe energy sources, crowded living conditions, and insufficient knowledge of
potential risks. The purpose of this study is to understand the scope of burn and ingestion
injuries due to various energy source usages in South Africa.
Methods: Patients at 16 regional hospitals throughout South Africa presenting with an
energy-related injury between 2006 and 2012 were interviewed to obtain demographics
and injury characteristics.
Results: A total of 12,443 patients were included in this study. Children aged 1–2 years
predominantly experienced burn and ingestion injuries (21%). Liquid burns (30%) were more
common than flame burns (14%). Chi-squared tests show that age was significantly related
to degree of burn, type of burn, and severity of burn ( p < 0.001). Non-intentional injuries
(45%) were more frequent than self-inflicted or assault injuries. Temporal and seasonal
injury trends reflect usage patterns. Burn injuries result in longer hospital length of stay
than ingestion injuries.
Conclusion: Non-intentional liquid burns and ingestions to infants and babies were most
common in this study, with many injuries also occurring among young adults. It is advised
that interventions targeting low-income communities be conducted to increase awareness
of burn and ingestion injuries