Influence of different definitions of unintentional burns on the prevalence and risk factors in children living in rural areas in Zunyi, Southwest China

This study aims to summarize the influence of different definitions of unintentional burns on the prevalence and risk factors in rural children. A total of 3548 children living in rural areas were recruited from 12 schools, and questionnaires were used to collect self-reported burn data and related influencing factors in the past 12 months. Burn incidence and risk factors were compared based on two operational burn definitions ("1996 Definition of Burn-related Injury, 1996-DBI" and "2011 Definition of Burn-related Injury, 2011-DBI"). Based on the 1996-DBI, the unintentional burn prevalence was 5.92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.14-6.70%), which was higher than the 2.23% ([95% CI] 1.74-2.71%) that was calculated using the 2011-DBI (χ² = 61.90, P < 0.001). The unintentional burn rate ratios ranged from 0.20- to 0.53. Children who were separated from one or both parents accounted for more than half (50.39%) of the sample, and this status was a common risk factor for burns according to the two operational injury definitions. Different operational definitions have significant effects on the reported burn incidence and risk factors.