BURNS: Effects of Lockdown Due to COVID-19 on Burn Cases on Indian Population

Background: Corona virus (COVID-19) forced all the union governments across the world to shutdown their country and stay at home. In India Lockdown started on 24 March 2020 due to which activity outside home was restricted and people of all ages in a family were staying together under one roof. In this study we aim to find out the effects of National Lockdown on the patients of Burn during lockdown period in India. Methodology: We studied the demography in patients of burn before lockdown, during the Lockdown period (last week of March 2020-mid June 2020) and compared with the three months post Lockdown data (July to September 2020). The data was compiled in an excel sheet and was analysed to see the changes. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS 28.0 software. This retrospective study was conducted at Burn Unit in Tertiary care centre in India (December to September 2020). Result: In our study it was observed that there was significant difference between adult burn patients in pre-lockdown, lockdown and post lockdown. Majority of patients i.e. 80% adult patients were observed during lockdown period, followed by 68% adult patient were observed in pre-lockdown and 48% in post lockdown. There was no significant difference in etiology of burn patients in pre-lockdown, lockdown and post lockdown. There was no significant difference in proportion of discharged and died patients in pre lockdown, lockdown and post lockdown. Majority of patients i.e. 42.8% were died in lockdown and minimum patients (37.6%) were died in pre-lockdown. Conclusion: There was significant difference between adult burnt patients in pre-lockdown, lockdown and post lockdown. These findings may be explained by the presumably busier kitchen and dining areas during the lockdown. The study results can assist with building a stronger understanding of varying burn injuries, and with developing educational and preventive strategies.