African Journals Online
The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development
(EJHD)

Official Journal Of The Ethiopian Public Health Association
Volume 16, Number 1, April 2002
Abstracts

Epidemiology of burn injuries in Mekele Town, Northern Ethiopia: A community based study

¹Kidanu Estifanos Nega, ²Bernt Lindtjørn

Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiological study on burn injuries and exploration of the risk factors in different settings is important for effective intervention. Very little is known about burn injuries in Ethiopia.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the annual incidence of burn injuries and to

describe the local knowledge about burns in Mekele town in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Methodology: We did a cross sectional survey of burn injuries on 7309 individuals in 1390

households.

Results: The annual incidence in burns was 1.2%. Burn had the highest incidence among children less than 5 years old (4.8%). Scald (59%) was the leading cause of burn followed by flame (34%). Most burns occurred at home (81%). Eighty nine point four percent of the burns healed with minor or no sequelae, 9.4% developed sequelae and the mortality was 1%. Crowding and employment were significant risk factors for burn injury. Domestic burn injuries were common among women of reproductive age and work related burns were more common among men. Many people (36%) used harmful substances with deleterious consequences as first aid measure for burn.

Discussion: This is the first study from northern Ethiopia and underlines that burn represents a major public health problem. However as we have used a long recall period people may have forgotten minor injuries and we may have underestimated the true incidence. Many people either do not know or have harmful misconceptions about first aid measures for burn injuries. Thus we recommend health education about burn prevention and first aid measures be given to the public.

[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2002;16(1):1-7]

Cigarette smoking and Khat chewing among college students in North West Ethiopia

Yigzaw Kebede,

Abstract

Background: Although the percentage of the population that smokes has declined in the United States and some other countries, it is increasing in less developed countries. In Ethiopia khat (Catha edulis) is commonly used for social and religious purposes.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of cigarette smoking and khat chewing among college students

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in January 2001 in the four colleges found in North West Ethiopia. Students in each year of study were selected by systematic sampling

technique. Self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.

Results: The study revealed 13.1 % life time prevalence rate of cigarette smoking and 26.7 % life time prevalence rate of khat chewing. The current prevalence of cigarette smoking was found to be 8.1 % and that of khat chewing 17.5 %. Forty six (31.7 %) of the life time smokers and 134 (45.6 %) of the life time chewers started smoking and chewing while they were senior secondary school students. Lung diseases including lung cancer were mentioned as health risk of cigarette smoking by 904 students.

Conclusion: The prevalence of cigarette smoking seemed to decrease among university students but the decrease in the prevalence of khat chewing is not remarkable. Students knew the commonest health risks associated with cigarette smoking. Teachers in the high schools and colleges, parents, mass media and other concerned people should teach students about the health and social problems associated with cigarette smoking and khat chewing. 

[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2002;16(1):9-17]