Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Paediatric burns are a significant international public health problem. Developing and developed countries report similar challenges regarding paediatric burn prevention programs. Paediatric burns requiring healthcare often incur significant health and opportunity costs, death or long-term disability. This paper reviews international burn prevention strategies, and considers implementation of effective prevention strategies in South Africa. REVIEW QUESTION: Are there differences between developed and developing countries regarding causes and prevalence of paediatric burns, prevention strategies, and evidence of effectiveness? REVIEW FRAMEWORK: Implementing effective burn prevention strategies in South Africa. ⋯ More work is required to establish effective, sustainable community-wide prevention programs in developed and developing countries. Effective paediatric burn prevention programs for South Africa should acknowledge parent and child literacy, how and where information is best accessed, the need to adapt effective hazard reduction programs to informal settlements, and the importance of legislated minimum safe housing standards. This requires significant commitment from Government, communities and individuals.