The relation between social deprivation and incidence of burns in an A&E setting

Burns 30 (2004) 91–92

Letter to the Editor

The relation between social deprivation and incidence of burns in an A&E setting

Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS [4]. Pearson correlation analysis was used to establish associations between variables and one-way ANOVA was used to build regression models. Pearson correlation showed a significant association between the incidence of burns and social deprivation (r2 = 0.343, P < 0.001). One way ANOVA was used to build a regression model, treating incidence of burns as the dependant variable (log rate 1k) and deprivation (LOG IMD) as an independent variable (Fig. 1). It shows the overall model to be significant (P < 0.001), with independent variable (deprivation) being a significant predictor of the incidence of burns. Our study demonstrates the relation between the incidence of burns and increasing social deprivation. We believe that government planning agencies should prioritise funding and developmental work towards these socially deprived areas of living, which may help in the prevention of burns.

Recent studies have reported a relationship between high injury rates and increased social deprivation [1,2]. Interestingly, there are no published papers correlating the incidence of burns per 1000 population with increasing social deprivation, in an accident and emergency setting. We investigated this correlation by retrospective analysis of 450 records of cases presenting to the Accident and Emergency department of the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The study covered a period of 12 months from 20 October 2001 to 20 October 2002. Using the patient’s postal code we derived the relevant index of multiple deprivation score (IMD), as stated in the local County Council literature [3]. Each area in and around Wrexham had been allocated an IMD score based on income, employment, health education, housing and access to information [3]. The index obtained pertains to the level of social deprivation where an individual lives. As the score increases, the area is classified as being more socially deprived.

References [1] Rajpura A. The epidemiology of burns and smoke inhalation in secondary care: a population-based study covering Lancashire and South Cumbria. Burns 2002;28:121–30.

Incidence of burns per-1000 population

1.2

1.0

.8

.6

.4

.2

P<0.001

0.0 0.0

.2

.4

.6

.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

Index of multiple deprivation Fig. 1.

0305-4179/$30.00 Crown Copyright © 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2003.09.025

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Letter to the Editor / Burns 30 (2004) 91–92

[2] Liao C-C, Rossignol AM. Landmarks in burn prevention. Burns 2000;26:422–34. [3] Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000, Local Authority Analysis. The National Assembly for Wales Statistical Directorate. pp. 102–5. [4] SPSS Inc., SPSS Base 8, User’s Guide. Chicago: SPSS; 1995.

A. Derick Mendonca ∗ Antonio F. da Silva Department of General Surgery Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Croesnewyyd Road Wrexham LL13 7TD, Wales, UK ∗ Corresponding author. Fax: +44-1978-725418 E-mail address: [email protected] (A.D. Mendonca)

Jim Turner Department of Research, Effectiveness and Development Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Croesnewyyd Road Wrexham LL13 7TD, Wales, UK Arun Sen Department of Accident and Emergency Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Croesnewyyd Road Wrexham LL13 7TD, Wales, UK 18 September 2003