Abstract

This study assesses the knowledge of parents in the Buea Town community regarding the prevention of burns in children aged 10-19 years, a critical age range in which children may be at increased risk of burn injuries due to exploratory behaviors and exposure to hazardous environments. Burns are a leading cause of injury in children and can have severe consequences on physical health, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Preventing burns requires awareness of common risk factors, safety practices, and proper supervision strategies. This study aims to evaluate the extent of parents’ knowledge on burn prevention, the safety measures practiced at home, and the availability of burn prevention information within the community.

Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were collected from 100 parents through structured questionnaires. These questionnaires covered aspects such as understanding of burn hazards, knowledge of preventive strategies, and the availability of first aid in the event of a burn injury. Additional questions assessed the parents’ information sources on burn prevention and their level of confidence in handling burn incidents. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics to quantify the level of knowledge among parents, and qualitative responses were gathered to understand perceptions and beliefs related to burn safety.

The results indicate that only 35% of parents demonstrated adequate knowledge of effective burn prevention strategies for children aged 10-19. While 50% of parents were aware of basic burn hazards, such as open flames and hot liquids, fewer than 30% knew about electrical burn risks or proper safety practices around common household items, including stoves and irons. Approximately 45% of parents reported that they had received limited information on burn prevention from healthcare providers or community safety programs, which has impacted their preparedness in mitigating burn risks at home. Key barriers to increased burn prevention awareness included limited health education, infrequent community sensitization on child safety, and a general assumption that older children have adequate burn injury awareness on their own.

The study concludes that parental knowledge of burn prevention for children in the Buea Town community is suboptimal, highlighting an urgent need for community-based education on child safety. Health promotion programs focusing on home safety practices, first aid training, and parental supervision can empower parents to prevent burn injuries effectively. Schools and community centers should play an active role in promoting awareness, while healthcare providers are encouraged to distribute educational resources on child burn prevention. Improving parental knowledge could significantly decrease burn incidents among children in this age group and foster a safer home environment.

Keywords: Burn prevention, parental knowledge, child safety, Buea Town, child injury, community health, home safety.