Risk factors for nosocomial infections among burn patients hospitalized in Tohid hospital, Sanandaj, Kurdistan Iran

Burn injuries are one of the health problems in developing countries. Despite of all the achieved advances in control and treatment of burn wounds, infection is the main cause of mortality among burn patients. This study aimed to determine risk factors for nosocomial infection in burn patients.
This case - control study conducted in burn unit in Tohid hospital, Sanandaj, Kurdistan Iran at 2012. Cases were hospitalized infected burn patients and controls were hospitalized non-infected patients. Information was derived from the patient's medical charts, then data were registered in checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi square and Fisher exact test and logistic regression were used.
Of 155 patients with burns, 62 patients (40%) were male and 93 (60%) female. Mean age ± SD were 25.9 ± 17 years. Age group under 20 years old had the highest frequency (43.9%). A total of 38 patients (24.6 %) had nosocomial infections. Culture-positive bacteria in various samples, including wounds, 26 (16.8%), urine samples 10 (5.6%) and blood samples, 2 (1.3%). Mean ± SD of burn percent was 35.5 ± 27.7%. Boiling water is the most common cause of burn. The most common organisms causing infections, were Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Burn area, burn percent, duration of hospitalization and underling diseases had association with acquisition of the infection. In logistic regression, burn percent and duration of hospitalization and age group were associated with infection.
Burn area and burn percent and the hospital stay was associated with infection and considering these factors in the treatment of burn patients is recommended.