Efficacy of a burn prevention educational program to diminish the incidence of burn injuries in the pediatric population

Abstract

Background

Pediatric burn injuries are a significant public health issue in low- and middle-income countries, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the No+Quema2 educational program, implemented in Aguascalientes, Mexico, in preventing burn injuries among children under nine years old.

Methods

The No+Quema2 program, initiated in 2014, included educational courses for children, training for health workers, and specialized care for children with burn sequelae. Epidemiological data on burn injuries from 2014 to 2022 were retrieved from the National System of Epidemiological Surveillance of the Health Ministry of Mexico. Monthly incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall trend test and segmentation analysis to detect trends and changes.

Results

The program trained over 25,000 scholars from 1750 elementary schools and distributed medical kits for immediate burn care. Additionally, 200 children with burn sequelae received scheduled treatment. The analysis showed a significant decrease in the state incidence rate of burn injuries compared to the national mean post-implementation. The estimated number of burn injuries prevented during the study period was approximately 3839, or 604 per year.

Conclusion

The No+Quema2 program has made a significant impact on burn prevention among children in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Despite the limitations of relying on government-reported data, the correlation between the program's activities and the observed decrease in burn injuries is promising. These findings underscore the critical importance of the No+Quema2 program's activities in achieving sustained, targeted educational interventions and long-term reductions in burn injury incidence. They also highlight the need for more robust study designs to validate these outcomes, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based strategies in future burn prevention efforts.