Evaluation of Burn Injury Management Protocols in a District Hospital in Borno State

Burns constitute a leading cause of trauma-related mortality and long-term disability in Nigeria, with disproportionately high incidence in rural and conflict-affected communities. This study evaluates current burn injury management protocols at a district-level hospital in Borno State, North East Nigeria, focusing on the adequacy of initial resuscitation, wound care, and referral practices. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining patient record review (n=95) with structured interviews of 12 healthcare providers over a 12-month period. Burn cases from 2022 to 2023 were included, with outcome data on hospital admission duration, skin grafting needs, secondary infections, and mortality. Findings reveal significant deficiencies in initial fluid resuscitation adherence using the Parkland formula, and a near-total absence of specialized burn care resources. The majority of cases involved flame burns from domestic cooking accidents, predominantly affecting women and children. Limited access to intravenous fluids, analgesics, and sterile dressings compounded patient morbidity. The study advocates for the inclusion of burn care training in district hospital clinical protocols and the establishment of a regional burn unit in the North East zone. Investment in community fire safety awareness programs is also recommended to address root causes. Keywords: burn injuries, wound care, resuscitation, Borno State, district hospital