The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on acute burn admissions at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria.

The coronavirus disease and the subsequent pandemic that followed drastically changed human civilization with disruptive effects on health and overall wellbeing of mankind. This disruptive effect has been shown to include changes in epidemiology of burn injuries. This study therefore aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on acute burn presentation at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. This was a retrospective study carried out between April 1st 2019 and March 31st 2021. The period was divided into two: April 1st 2019 to March 31st 2020 and April 1st 2020 to March 31st 2021. Data obtained from the burn unit registry was analyzed using the scientific package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. The only statistically significant finding from this study was the marked reduction in burn ICU admission during the pandemic (p<0.001). A total of 144 patients presented to the burn intensive care unit at UCH Ibadan during the period under review with 92 patients in the pre-pandemic year, and 52 patients in the pandemic year. 0-9 years representing 42% in pre-pandemic, and 30.8% in the pandemic period was the most affected age group. Scald was predominantly among the pediatric age group in both groups. Males were more likely to suffer flame burn in both study periods with a near gender equilibration during the pandemic. Burn injury during the pandemic resulted in more total body surface area burned. Conclusion: The lockdown effect of the pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in acute burn admissions at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.