Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 9

JBUR-4888; No.

of Pages 9

burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

ScienceDirect

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/burns

Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows


geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’
of risk factors in New South Wales, Australia

David Goltsman a,b,*, Zhe Li a,b, Eleanor Bruce d, Siobhan Connolly e,


John G. Harvey b,c, Peter Kennedy a,b, Peter K.M. Maitz a,b
a
Burns Unit, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, 2130, Australia
b
Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
c
The Children’s Hospital Burns Research Institute, Burns Unit, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead,
Westmead, NSW, Australia
d
School of Geosciences, Madsen Building F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
e
New South Wales Agency for Clinical Innovation, Statewide Burn Injury Service, Australia

article info abstract

Article history: Objective: Pediatric burns are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is
Accepted 23 February 2016 estimated that more than 80% are preventable. Studies among adults have shown that
burns risk are geographically clustered, and higher in socioeconomically-disadvantaged
Keywords: areas. Few studies among children have examined whether burns are geographically
Pediatric burns clustered, and if burn prevention programs are best targeted to high-risk areas.
Trauma Method: Retrospective analyses examined the 2005-to-2014 NSW Severe Burns Injury Service
Burns prevention data. Geospatial imaging software was used to map the relative-risk and clustering of burns by
Health policy postcodes in Greater Sydney Area (GSA). Cluster analyses were conducted using Getis-Ord and
Plastic surgery Global Moran’s I statistics. High- and low-risk populations and areas were examined to
ascertain differences by sociodemographic characteristics, etiology and the extent of the burn.
Results: Scalds were the most common types of burns and boys were at greater risk than girls.
There was significant clustering of burns by postcode area, with a higher relative risk of burns
in western and north-western areas of Sydney. The high-risk clusters were associated with
socioeconomic disadvantage, and areas of low burns risk were associated with socioeconomic
advantage. In both high- and low-risk areas burns occurred more frequently in the 12–24
months and the 24–36 months age groups. The implication of this study is that pediatric burns
risk clustering occurs in specific geographic regions that are associated with socioeconomic
disadvantage. The results of this study provide greater insight into how pediatric populations
can be targeted when devising intervention strategies, and suggest that an area-targeted
approach in socioeconomically-disadvantaged areas may reduce burns risk.
# 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

* Corresponding author at: Burns Unit, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Road, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia.
Tel.: +61 2 9767 7775; fax: +61 2 9767 7435.
E-mail address: dgoltsman@optusnet.com.au (D. Goltsman).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
0305-4179/# 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

2 burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx

were available for each case: patient demographics, mecha-


1. Introduction nism of burn, extent of burn and adequacy of first aid.

Burns are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality 2.2. Analyses


worldwide, and children are disproportionately affected. More
than half of the disability-adjusted life years lost to burns Similar to a previous study, the analyses took place in several
occur among those aged 0–14 years [1]. Those with non-fatal stages [7]. Firstly, the relative risks of severe pediatric burns
burns often experience substantial physical and psychological were calculated for each postcode. The binary outcome
morbidities [2], undergo surgical interventions and extended variable was experiencing or not experiencing a burn.
periods of rehabilitation [2]. Therefore, pediatric burns impose Population data from the 2011 ABS Census data were used
a high financial cost on the healthcare system, and a as the reference population for each area [11].
significant personal burden to affected individuals. For subsequent analyses, only postcodes pertaining to
Declines in burn-related deaths and hospitalizations have Sydney and the greater Sydney area were included in the
been attributed, in part, to prevention strategies [3]. However, current study due to the low prevalence of burns and low
these have been less effective among children from lower population density outside of this area. These were identified
socioeconomic backgrounds. Studies have estimated that by the Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), as defined
socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with a 3- and by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2011) [11].
15-fold greater likelihood of hospital admission or death from Secondly, the spatial distribution of relative risks of severe
burns, respectively [4,5]. pediatric burns was examined using the Getis-Ord statistic
Geographic information systems (GIS) permit the genera- [13]. The Getis-Ord test examines the spatial patterning of risk
tion of maps that depict the geographic distribution of burn in the areas surrounding each postcode, as it assesses the
injuries [6]. This has powerful implications for burn-preven- extent to which each area is surrounded by areas of high or low
tion strategies by enabling programs to be tailored according risk [12], therefore it facilitates the detection of ‘‘pockets’’ of
to the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of spatial association [13]. Positive values (positive z-scores) are
residents [7]. Australian studies have shown that pediatric indicative of a statistically-significant clustering of high risk,
burns are a major contributor to overall burns in high-risk whereas negative values denote a statistically-significant
areas, and such areas are characterized by socioeconomic clustering of low risk. A value approaching zero is suggestive
disadvantage [7,8]. of no clustering.
This study examines the geographical patterning of severe In the third stage of analyses, the abovementioned spatial
burns among children in New South Wales (NSW), Australia relative risk and cluster analyses were used to examine the
and investigates the spatial patterning of risk factors in epidemiological and sociodemographic characteristics of the
Sydney. residents of high- and low-risk areas. The Getis-Ord analyses
identified ‘‘pockets’’ of spatial association based on postal
relative risk values as the weighted reference points. These
2. Methods Getis-Ord z-score values were used to define two populations:
a high-risk population and a low-risk population. The Getis-
NSW is the most populous Australian state [11] (Fig. 1), with Ord methodology produced an unbiased, natural distribution
Sydney the capital. Most of the population resides in of the relative risk of burns in NSW [14], and the two sub-
metropolitan regions (64%) [9]. There are three specialist populations were defined as being the two extreme ends of the
burns centers to which severe cases are transferred: Concord distribution. The tails considered for this study pertained to
Repatriation General Hospital (CRGH), Royal North Shore the 99% confidence interval, thus having a significance level of
Hospital (RNSH) and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead p = 0.01, and the Getis-ord z-score of 2.58. Low-risk areas were
(CHW). defined as a score < 2.58 or and the high-risk areas having a
score >2.58. These two populations were then contrasted
2.1. Data using descriptive statistics to observe differences in age
patterns by gender, etiology, extent of burn, adequacy of first
Data were obtained from the New South Wales Agency for aid and sociodemographic variations using Microsoft excel
Clinical Innovation Statewide Burns Injury Service (SBIS) and R-statistical software.
covering 2005–2014. This is a statewide registry of burns The ABS Socio-economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) [10]
admitted to the burn units. Admission is based on criteria were used to examine associations with area-level socioeco-
established by the Australian and New Zealand Burns nomic characteristics [10]. This is a composite index that
Association (ANZBA), and the International Society for Burn characterizes areas with regard to their education, occupation
Injuries (ISBI). This includes all full/dermal-thickness burns in and income [10]. Associations between spatial clusters of
children with >5% total burn surface area (TBSA), burns to the relative risk of pediatric burns, the SEIFA index and four sub-
face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum and across major joints, indices derived from the SEIFA index (i.e. Index of Relative
chemical, electrical or inhalation burns, circumferential burns Socio-economic Disadvantage, Index of Economic Resources
of the limbs or chest, burns in patients with pre-existing and Index of Education and Occupation (ABS 2011) were
medical disorders that could adversely affect patient care and examined using scatter plots. Chloropleth maps were also
outcomes, suspected non-accidental injuries. The SBIS de- generated for three SEIFA variables: Index of Relative Socio-
tailed 8,223 pediatric burns in the period. The following data economic Disadvantage, Index of Economic Resources and

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx 3

Fig. 1 – Location map of New South Wales and the Greater Sydney Area.

Index of Education and Occupation. The indices were divided analyses showed a significant Global Moran I statistic
into deciles, to improve map comparison accuracy. ( p = 0.05), confirming spatial clustering of burns among
children in the greater Sydney area.
AHURI also identified socio-demographically typologies
3. Results within these ‘disadvantaged places’. The 2 typology categories
that occur in the western and north western ‘hot spots’ are
3.1. Spatial distribution of burns typology category 1 (high on young people and single parent
house holds) and typology category 2 (high on overseas
The map of burns risk by area in The Greater Sydney Area is movers and two parent families).
shown in Fig. 2 Higher risk was seen in the western and north In the greater Sydney area, spatial clustering of high risk
western areas of Sydney corresponding with the ‘disadvan- was evident in the western and north-western areas (Fig. 3),
tage places’ identified by the Australian Housing and Urban and two clusters of low risk were seen in the eastern and
Research Institute (AHURI) [44]. The spatial autocorrelation south-eastern areas. The high-risk clusters were associated
with socioeconomic disadvantage, and one of the areas of low
burns risk was associated with socioeconomic advantage
(Fig. 4).

3.2. Demographic characteristics

Of the 8223 pediatric burns 2523 (30.68%) of the children


resided in high-risk areas and 457 (5.56%) resided in low-risk
areas. The mean age in high-risk areas was 3.91 years (SD 3.94),
and 4.18 (SD 4.31) in low-risk areas. The age distribution of
burns in high- and low-risk areas is shown in Fig. 5. Burns were
most frequent in the 13–24 month age group.
Across all age groups the majority of burns occurred among
boys (58%). However, there was a higher proportion of girls
with burns in the 3–5 and 6–10 years age groups (3.08% and
2.26% higher, respectively). In high-risk areas there was a
significant male dominance in the 13-24 month and 11–15
years age groups, with a difference of 2.53% and 2.08%
between males and females. In low-risk areas there was a
significant male dominance in the 25–36 months and 13–24
months age groups, with a difference of 5.46% and 3.46%
between males and females. There was a significant female
Fig. 2 – Map depicting the relative risk of severe pediatric dominance in the 3–5 years and 6–10 years age groups with a
burns in regional NSW and the Greater Sydney Area. difference of 3.08% and 2.26% between females and males.

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

4 burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx

Fig. 5 – Graph of the age distribution of burns (by


Fig. 3 – Map depicting the Getis-Ord analysis of Pediatric frequencies) for high and low risk areas.
burns in the Greater Sydney Area. High Getis-Ord z-scores
indicate more intense clustering of pediatric burn
frequencies (hotspots or positive clusters), shown in red,
and low z-scores indicate more intense clustering of low
pediatric burn frequencies, shown in blue (cold spots or
negative clusters). (For interpretation of the references to
color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web
version of the article.)

Fig. 6 – Graph of the etiology of burns (by frequency) in high


and low risk areas.
Fig. 4 – Map depicting the index of relative socio-economic
disadvantage.

(2.66% difference) burns compared to low-risk areas. In low-


risk areas there was a significantly higher incidence of contact
3.3. Burn etiology (5.25% difference) and flame (1.07% difference) burns.
Compared to low-risk areas, high-risk areas showed the
The etiology of burns were analyzed in terms of postal areas following risks: 11 times the risk of friction burns, 10 times the
and %TBSA (Fig. 6). In high-risk areas there was a significantly risk of radiant heat burns, 8 times the risk of chemical burns, 7
higher proportion of scald (2.69% difference) and friction times the risk of burns resulting from explosions, 6 times the

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx 5

risk of scald burns, 5 times the risk of contact burns, and 4 were mainly due to scalds (64.29%) and flames (35.71%).
times the risk of flame burns compared to low-risk areas. (Fig. 8)
The etiology of burns differed between boys and girls,
however the gender patterning of burns did not vary between 3.4. Adequacy of first aid
high-and low-risk areas (Fig. 7).
In high-risk areas, burns involving less than or equal to The adequacy of burn first aid was assessed on the basis of
10% TBSA were mainly due to scalds (61.15%), contact clinical history provided by patients on admission to hospital.
(26.20%) and friction (5.64%) burns. Burns in high-risk areas Using ISBI and NSW SBIS guidelines adequate first aid was
that accounted for 10% or more TBSA were mainly due to considered to be cooling the burn surface by the application of
scalds (78.95%), flames (14.04%) or radiant heat (7.02%). A running cold water.
similar pattern was seen in low-risk areas, with burns 10% In high-risk areas fewer burns received adequate first-aid
TBSA being due to scald (58.69%), contact (31.83%) and flame (57.27%) compared to low-risk areas (64.77%). One death due to
(4.06%) burns. In low-risk areas burns over 10% of TBSA burns occurred over the study period.

Fig. 7 – Table showing the mechanisms of pediatric burns for high and low risk areas according to gender.

Fig. 8 – Table showing the mechanisms of pediatric burns for high and low risk areas according to extent of injury (%TBSA).

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

6 burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx

3.5. Socioeconomic characteristics of areas to identify areas of increased/decreased risk and their
association with sociodemographic factors, burn etiology
Fig. 9a shows spatial clusters of low risk in socio-economical- and adequacy of first aid. Overall, the findings support that
ly-advantaged areas, as captured by the composite SEIFA an area-based approach targeting lower socioeconomic areas
index, corresponding with postcodes in the Sydney area. The may be effective for the prevention of pediatric burns in NSW
scatterplots shown in Fig. 9b illustrates no association and Sydney.
between burns risk and access to economic resources (ABS, The findings of the current study concur with similar
2013). However, burns risk increased with lower levels of research that was conducted in the Sydney area. Goltsman
education and occupation (Fig. 9c). et al. [7] applied similar geospatial methods to assess burns in all
age groups and found similar associations as seen in this
pediatric population. Poulos et al. [8] applied geospatial analyses
4. Discussion on pediatric burns in NSW from 2000 to 2005 and also found a
greater relative risk of pediatric burns in the western Sydney
This study used geospatial analyses to examine clustering of area. A key difference between Poulos et al. and the current
pediatric burns in the greater Sydney area. The findings study is that Poulos et al. used local government areas (LGAs)
showed significant clusters of high- and low risk in Sydney. rather than postcodes as spatial units of analysis. The use of
Furthermore, this study extended previous knowledge of LGAs may limit an examination of associations between
pediatric burns by utilizing a novel spatial analytical method relative burn rates and area-level sociodemographic factors,

Fig. 9 – Scatter plots showing association between the statistic (Gi*) indicating level of local spatial clustering and (a) index of
relative socio-economic disadvantage, (b) index of economic resources and (c) index of education and occupation. Red
indicates postcodes within statistically significant positive clusters (higher relative risk of pediatric burns), blue indicates
postcodes within negative clusters (lower relative risk of pediatric burns) and yellow indicates postcodes which are not
significantly clustered. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web
version of the article.)

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx 7

due to local level variability within these larger areas. LGAs 95% of flammable liquid burns occurred in young adolescent
encompass several postcodes and their use as spatial units in males [26].
analysis tends to lead to a ‘dilution’ of associations within area- The results of our study concur with those seen in multiple
level sociodemographic characteristics. The current study studies, which assess developmental stages in children, and
represents a significant addition on previous Australian the mechanisms of burn injuries. The majority of burns in
research by using postcode areas, thereby enabling a more children aged 0–36 months were from scalds. A detailed
detailed and nuanced examination of area-level socioeconomic assessment by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign [27] in the US
characteristics on pediatric burns risk in Australia than has had similar findings with scald burns accounting for the
been achieved previously. The geospatial methodology used majority of burns in this age group yet, they had further
provides a unique platform for in-depth social ecological identified that given the curiosity encountered at this age,
exploration to understanding the determinants of burns. these injuries occurred mostly from hot liquids being spilled in
Differences in the incidence and nature of burns were evident the kitchen or dining room. Agran et al. assessed 23,173
by area-level socioeconomic characteristics. The results of this pediatric injuries by 3 monthly age intervals considering
study showed a significant association between high-risk burns pediatric stages of development. The study further identified
areas and areas associated with the 30th percentile of most that for children aged 12–17 months the leading cause for
socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in Australia. injuries were hot liquid and vapor injuries [28]. This age
International studies in developing and industrialized countries coincides with the child satisfying their growing curiosity by
have identified risk factors for burns in the community, also physically interacting with their surroundings. With the
finding that high population density, low literacy, ethnic attainment of milestones such as independent mobility and
minorities and income deprivation are associated with greater exploratory behavior they are able to better pursue interesting
burns risk [15,45]. Furthermore, risk is increased in single- objects, noises and cues. As a result of these characteristics
parent families and among people residing in sub-optimal living and a child’s primitively developed hazard awareness and
environments (i.e. crowded housing and lack of running avoidance skills [23,25], they are at high risk of accidents.
water) [16]. Given the lag between a child’s cognitive development and
Although a strength of the study, the use of postcode as advances in their motor skills, children may lack the ability to
the spatial unit to characterize area-level socioeconomic escape dangerous situations and comprehend the ramifica-
conditions was also a limitation. SEIFA scores for larger tions of their actions.
geographies, such as postcodes, are derived from the While some burns can be life threatening to children, the
population weighted average of smaller unit scores which majority leave them with characteristics similar to chronic
may mask socio-economic diversity within an area. Use of illness due to serious long-term physical and psychosocial
postcode level SEIFA information as a proxy for socio- problems [29]. Studies by have suggested that 20–50% of
economic disadvantage of individuals is susceptible to children experience psychological maladjustment issues
ecological inference fallacy particularly if there is individual showing symptoms such as depression, anxiety and a fear
diversity within the area. Although limitations of postcode of interacting with others after a severe burn [30]. Several
level data need to be recognized in examining association studies have shown that the most problematic of the
between pediatric burn incident and socio-economic disad- depressive reactions include suicidal ideations, self-rejec-
vantage, SEIFA is a robust data source that has potential for tion, aggressiveness, and irritability [31–36]. Anxiety is a more
informing the targeting of broader scale community aware- common complaint among pediatric burn patients compared
ness initiatives. to depression [36,37]. The most prevalent complaint of
Worldwide, children are commonly the victims of serious patients with anxiety meets the DSM criteria for posttrau-
burn injuries and often suffer pain, deformity, disability, matic stress disorder [34,37]. PTSD and symptoms of PTSD
and occasionally death [17]. The higher incidence has been have been observed as being prevalent in burns survivors of
attributed to common characteristics associated with all ages [37,38].
children at this age: impulsiveness, lack of awareness, high The leading cause of pediatric burns is scalds [23,25], which
energy levels, natural curiosity and total dependence on are avoidable in most instances. Studies in the US by Kemp
their caregiver [18–22]. In their thorough review of global et al. have shown that 1-years old children are 10 times more
burns Rayner and Prentice found that globally children likely to sustain burns or scalds than any other year school-
under the age of 2 years had the highest risk of DALYS lost aged child [39,40]. The incidence of scald burns drops
due to burns with the highest incidence occurring in dramatically at 3 years of age, this is thought to be the
children aged 7–12 months [23]. Mechanisms such as scalds consequence of increased cognitive awareness of the dangers
in this age group were attributed to care givers since infants of heat, coupled with more cautiousness and anticipatory
were unable to walk [24], in contrast older children had a management by parents and a greater time spent out of the
greater incidence of flame burns due to their age-related home [40].
characteristics [24,25]. Our study concurs with theses There is significant evidence from our study and other
finding of there being a significantly greater proportion of studies to suggest that pediatric burns are associated with
scald burns occurring in children aged 12–36 months, and a socioeconomic disadvantage [5,7,8,23,25,40]. Various issues
higher proportion of flame burns were seen in young and parental factors have been shown to play a significant role
adolescents aged 11–15 years in both high- and low-risk in children suffering burns. These include factors such as:
areas of Sydney. This result was similar to the findings of an income, parental knowledge of burn prevention and care,
Australian study by Henderson et al. which identified that education, literacy, parental age, supervision, home crowding,

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

8 burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx

installation of smoke alarm, adequate first aid, and features of references


the home. Furthermore studies in Australia have also shown
that surrounding environment and socioeconomic factors
[7,8] are associated with risk of burns. Housing design, lack of [1] Peden M, McGee K, Sharma G. The injury chart book: a
play area and child dependency has also been shown to graphical overview of the global burden of injuries. Geneva:
impact burns [41]. Many of these risk factors are modifiable World Health Organisation; 2002.
[2] van Baar ME, Essink-Bot ML, Oen IMMH, Dokter J, Boxma H,
and preventable with appropriate interventions within the
van Beek EF. Functional outcome after burns: a review.
community [42,43]. This study also highlights the issue of
Burns 2006;32:1–9.
higher risk areas for burns having greater rates of inadequate [3] Bringham P, McLoughlin E. Burn incidence and medical
first aid management for the injury. A study by this burns care use in the United States: estimates, trends and data
center has also shown that there is also a systemic tendency sources. J Burn Care Rehabil 1996;17:95–107.
for overestimation to occur throughout the entire TBSA [4] Edwards P, Green J, Roberts I, Lutchman S. Deaths from
spectrum, which is persists with increasing time after the injury in children and employment status in family:
analysis of trends in class specific death rates. BMJ
burn [46]. These findings infer that appropriate first aid with
2006;333:119.
timely presentation to a burns center would provide optimal [5] Hippisley-Cox J, Groom L, Coupland C, Webber E, Savelyich
treatment and should be the central message for burns B. Cross-sectional survey of socioeconomic variations in
prevention. severity and mechanism of childhood injuries in Trent
Successful prevention is a multi-factorial process that 1992–7. BMJ 2002;324:1132.
incorporates environmental modifications, education, and [6] Revocatus Twinomuhangi, Ron N. Buliung, Mable T.
Nakitto, Ronald Letter. Application of geographic
appropriate monitoring. Especially in the context of pediatric
information systems methodology to injury surveillance in
burns, heightened awareness and behavioral changes are of
Uganda. Int Res J Med Med Sci 2014;(April (2)):20–39, ISSN:
interest for caregivers to insure a decrease in the incidence of 2354-211X.
such injuries. Evidence has arisen of the positive impact that [7] Goltsman D, Li Z, Bruce E, Maitz PK. Geospatial and
intensive interventions such as public health messages, and epidemiological analysis of severe burns in New South
local medical services providing brief education on burn Wales by residential postcodes. Burns 2014;40:670–82.
prevention. Gaffney et al. and Mehta et al. have shown that [8] Poulos R, Hayen A, Finch C, Zwi A. Area socioeconomic
status and childhood injury morbidity in New South Wales,
such intervention can successfully reduce scald burn injuries
Australia. Inj Prev 2007;13:322–7.
in children. Future research needs to examine the physical,
[9] Department of Environment and Conservation NSW. NSW
housing and psychosocial factors in these areas predisposing state of the environment; 2006, http://www.environment.
to this greater risk. Interventions are then indicated to address nsw.gov.au/soe/soe2006/chapter2/.
these factors if overall morbidity, mortality and inequalities in [10] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Census of population and
burns are to be reduced. housing: socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA), Cat. no.
637 2033.0.55.001. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics;
2006.
5. Conclusion [11] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian demographic
statistics, catalogue no. 3101.0; September 2012.
[12] Getis A. Spatial dependence and heterogeneity and
Geospatial analytic methods can improve our understanding proximal databases. In: Fotheringham AS, Rogerson P,
of burns epidemiology. The results of this study showed that editors. Spatial analysis and GIS. London: Taylor and
burns risk clustered in specific regions. There was an Francis; 1995. p. 105–20.
[13] Getis A, Ord JK. The analysis of spatial association by use of
increased risk of pediatric burns in some socioeconomically
distance statistics. Geogr Anal 1992;24:189–206.
disadvantaged urban areas, and that residents of these areas
[14] Laffan SW. Using process models to improve spatial
were less likely to apply adequate first aid. The results of this analysis. Int J Geogr Inform Sci 2002;16:245–57.
study provide greater insight into how pediatric populations [15] Ahuja RB, Bhattacharya S. Burns in the developing world
can be targeted when devising intervention strategies. and burn disasters. BMJ 2004;329:447–9.
Targeted strategies for high-risk pediatric populations may [16] Edelman LS. Social and economic factors associated with
optimize the effect of such interventions. the risk of burn injury. Burns 2007;33:958–65.
[17] Weedon M, Potterton J. Socio-economic and clinical factors
predictive of paediatric quality of life post burn. Burns
Conflict of interest 2011;37:572–9.
[18] McDonald EM, Girasek DC, Gielen AC. Home injuries. In:
DeSafey Liller K, editor. Injury prevention for children and
None. adolescents – research, practice and advocacy. Washington,
DC: American Public Health Association; 2006. p. 127.
[19] Scholer SJ, Hickson GB, Mitchel Jr EF, Ray WA. Predictors of
mortality from fires in young children. Pediatrics
Acknowledgments
1998;101:E12–6.
[20] Rivara FP. Developmental and behavioral issues in
We would like to thank the work of Anne Darton for her childhood injury prevention. J Dev Behav Pediatr
assistance in collecting the data used in this analysis. We would 1995;16:362–70.
like to acknowledge the Julian Burton Burns Trust and Clipsal by [21] Dissanaike S, Rahimi M. Epidemiology of burn injuries:
Schneider Electric for financially supporting the computer highlighting cultural and socio-demographic aspects. Int
hardware and software required to complete this study. Rev Psychiatry 2009;21(6):505–11.

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026
JBUR-4888; No. of Pages 9

burns xxx (2016) xxx–xxx 9

[22] Forjuoh SN. Burns in low- and middle-income countries: a [35] Campbell L. Special behavioral problems of the burned
review of available literature on descriptive epidemiology, child. Am J Nursing 1976;76:220–4.
risk factors, treatment, and prevention. Burns 2006;32: [36] Noronha Delilah O, Jan Faust. Identifying the variables
529–37. impacting post-burn psychological adjustment: a meta-
[23] Rayner R, Prentice J. Paediatric burns: a brief global review. analysis. Pediatr Psychol 2007;32(3):380–91.
Wound Pract Res 2011;19(1):39–46. [37] Patterson DR, Everett JJ, Bombardier CH, Questad KA, Lee
[24] Balseven-Odabaşı A, Tümer AR, Keten A, Yorganci K. Burn VK, Marvin JA. Psychological effects of severe burn injuries.
injuries among children aged up to seven years. Turk J Psychol Bull 1993;113:362–78.
Pediatr 2009;51:328–35. [38] La Greca AM, Silverman WK, Vernberg EM, Prinstein MJ.
[25] Peck MD. Epidemiology of burns throughout the world. Part Symptoms of posttramatic stress in children after
I: distribution and risk factors. Burns 2011;37(November hurricane Andrew. J Consult Clin Psychol 1996;64:712.
(7)):1087–100. Retrieved August 2, 2005, from PsychArticles database.
[26] Henderson P, McConville H, Höhlriegel N, Fraser JF, Kimble [39] Maguire S, Moynihan S, Mann M, Potokar T, Kemp AM. A
RM. Flammable liquid burns in children. Burns systematic review of the features that indicate intentional
2003;29(4):349–52. scalds in children. Burns 2008;34:1072–81.
[27] NSKC (National SAFE KIDS Campaign). Burn injury fact [40] Kemp AM, Jones S, Lawson Z, Maguire SA. Patterns of burns
sheet. Washington, DC: NSKC; 2004, Available online at: and scalds in children. Arch Dis Child 2014;99(4):316–21.
www.preventinjury.org/PDFs/BURN_INJURY.pdf. [41] Dowswell T, Towner E. Social deprivation and the
[28] Agran PF, Anderson C, Winn D, Trent R, Walton-Haynes L, prevention of unintentional injury in childhood: a
Thayer S. Rates of pediatric injuries by 3-month intervals systematic review. Health Educ Res 2002;17(2):221–37.
for children 0 to 3 years of age. Pediatrics 2003;111:e683–92. [42] Forjuoh SN. The mechanisms, intensity of treatment, and
[29] McLoughlin E, McGuire A. The causes, cost, and prevention of outcomes of hospitalized burns: issues for prevention. J
childhood burn injuries. Am J Dis Children 1990;144:677–83. Burn Care Rehabil 1998;19:456–60.
[30] Tarnowski KJ, Rasnake LK, Gavaghan-Jones MP, Smith L. [43] Williams KG, Schootman M, Quayle K, Struthers J, Jaffe DM.
Psychosocial sequelea of pediatric burn injuries. A review. Geographic variation of pediatric burn injuries in a
Clin Psychol Rev 1991;11:399–418. metropolitan area. Acad Emerg Med 2003;10:743–52.
[31] McKibben JBA, Ekselius L, Girasek DC, Gould NF, Holzer III [44] Hulse K, Pawson H, Reynolds M, Herath S. Disadvantaged
C, Rosenberg M, et al. Epidemiology of burn injuries II: places in urban Australia: analysing socio-economic
psychiatric and behavioural perspectives. Int Rev diversity and housing market performance. In: AHURI final
Psychiatry 2009;21:512–21. report no. 225. Melbourne: Australian Housing and Urban
[32] Rumsey N, Harcourt D. Visible difference amongst children Research Institute; 2014. Available from: http://www.ahuri.
and adolescents: issues and interventions. Dev edu.au/publications/projects/myrp704 [accessed: 26.10.14]..
Neurorehabil 2007;10:113–23. [45] Heng JS, Atkins J, Clancy O, Takata M, Dunn KW, Jones I,
[33] Partridge J. From burns unit to boardroom. Br Med J et al. Geographical analysis of socioeconomic factors in risk
2006;332:956–9; of domestic burn injury in London 2007–2013. Burns
Thompson A, Kent G. Adjusting to disfigurement: processes 2015;41(3):437–45.
involved in dealing with being visibly different. Clin [46] Harish V, Raymond AP, Issler AC, Lajevardi SS, Chang LY,
Psychol Rev 2001;21:663–82. Maitz PK, et al. Accuracy of burn size estimation in patients
[34] El Hamaoui Y. Post traumatic stress disorder in burned transferred to adult Burn Units in Sydney, Australia: an
patients. Burns 2002;28:647–50. audit of 698 patients. Burns 2015;41(1):91–9.

Please cite this article in press as: Goltsman D, et al. Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and ‘hotspots’ of
risk factors in New South Wales, Australia. Burns (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.026

You might also like