Elsevier

Burns

Volume 38, Issue 3, May 2012, Pages 438-443
Burns

Are parents in the UK equipped to provide adequate burns first aid?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2011.08.016Get rights and content

Abstract

Aim

Simple first aid following a burn injury has been shown to improve outcome. With this in mind, a prospective study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge of burns first aid amongst parents in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom. This information was used to identify which aspects of burn first aid need to be highlighted in an education campaign and who the target audience should be. A simple mnemonic is suggested to assist parental education on the topic.

Methods

Parents attending outpatient clinics at Sheffield Children's Hospital were interviewed and asked about the first aid they would provide for a child with a large scald. Removal of hot clothes and jewellery; application of cold water for 10–20 min; obtaining medical advice; and covering the burn with a plastic film or clean cloth were all considered to be ideal responses. Variations in responses in relation to the age and ethnicity of the parent were noted.

Results

One hundred and eighty eight parents were included in the questionnaire. Of these, 81% (n = 152) were white British and 20% (n = 36) were from other ethnic groups. Only 10% (n = 18) of all respondent would give all the ideal first aid steps. Less than 40% (n = 73) of parents questioned would remove hot clothes and jewellery. There was no significant difference in responses between ethnic groups when assessing knowledge of the need to remove hot soaked clothing. Although 73% (n = 137) of parents would run the burn under cool water, only 35% (n = 66) would cool the burn for an adequate length of time. White British parents were significantly more likely to run cool water over the burn, and to continue this for the recommended 10–20 min. Whilst 88% (n = 165) of parents would seek medical attention, this was significantly less in parents under 20 years old. Finally, 92% (n = 173) of parents would protect the wound with appropriate dressings, but of note, 26% (n = 9) of parents from minority ethnic groups would potentially impair burn healing by using inappropriate dressings and topical agents including butter, milk, cooking oil and toothpaste.

Conclusions

The questionnaire findings highlighted the need for improved parental awareness of burns first aid. This was across all ethnic groups and ages questioned. In particular, knowledge of appropriate cooling times and the use of inappropriate dressings were highlighted as areas for concern. Ideal burns first aid measures were summarised with the mnemonic STOP–Strip clothes, turn on the tap for 10 min, organise help, put on plastic film. This mnemonic is to be used in a pilot educational campaign in the Sheffield area, with possible expansion nationwide.

Section snippets

Background

First aid is the emergency care given before regular medical aid can be obtained [1]. People without formal medical training and with scarce resources will often be required to practice first aid. Whilst administering first aid, the care provider may face significant psychological and environmental stress. Therefore, any intervention should be simple, effective, universally accessible and taught in a memorable, logical sequence. First aid should not hinder later wound assessment or management

Participants

Parents in the waiting room of Sheffield Children's Hospital outpatient department were approached between January 2009 and April 2009 and asked to complete a structured interview on burns first aid. Parents attending the burn clinic, or whose child had previously been treated on a burn unit were excluded from the study.

Demographics

Parents who agreed to take part in the study were asked to state their age group (<20 years, 20–30 years, 31–40 years, and >40 years); their ethnic origin; and whether or not

Demographics

One hundred and eighty nine parents responded. One parent did not state their age or ethnicity: they were therefore excluded from all further analysis (n = 188). One further parent did not specify their age: they were therefore excluded from any further analysis by age (n = 187 for analysis by age). The modal age range was 30–40 years. One hundred and fifty-two parents (80%) were white British. Thirty-six parents (20%) from thirteen other ethnic groups also responded.

There was no significant

Discussion

This study was carried out following a series of admissions where scalded children were kept in their hot soaked clothes and were not cooled properly while awaiting paramedics. There is a significant body of literature on burn care following hospital admission, examining dressings, surgery, nutrition, outcome and medical management. There have also been notable improvements in burn prevention in the community, following campaigns for flame retardant furniture and clothing [7], capped

Conclusions

Less than 10% of parents questioned would treat a serious scald in a 2-year-old by stripping their clothes, turning on the tap for 10 min, organising help and putting on a plastic film dressing. Appropriate burn cooling and dressing are a particular problem amongst ethnic minority parents in Yorkshire. The STOP mnemonic may be a useful aid to help with the education of parents, and will be used in a pilot educational campaign in the local area, with possible expansion nationwide.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Brigitte Garcia de Jager, Statistics Tutor, Maths and Statistics Help (MASH), Learning and Teaching Services, University of Sheffield, The Octagon Centre M15-17, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TQ, United Kingdom (Tel.: +44 0114 222 1745) for the statistical support.

http://web.anglia.ac.uk/numbers/index.html.

Bio measurement Calculation Sheet by Toby Carter & Dawn Hawkins (www.biomeasurement.net).

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