The Quality of Life in Women with Burns in Iran

BACKGROUND Severe and extensive burns and the consequent burn scars have a profound impact on various aspects of the patients’, especially women’s quality of life (QOL). Although burn is considered as a common phenomenon in Iran, few studies are conducted to investigate the QOL in women with burn scars. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating the quality of life of married women with severe burns. METHODS The present study was a descriptive-analytic study conducted on 101 patients with severe burns who referred in 2016 to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS) and a demographic questionnaire were used to collect and analyze the data. RESULTS Burns had a significant negative impact on the life quality of women with burns. The average score of quality of life in women was obtained as 51.47±10.44. The most difficult in the quality of life of the patients were in skin sensitivity to heat and treatment regimens and the least difficulty was in simple abilities and hand function. CONCLUSION The interventions to improve the quality of life is of high importance in the patients with burns. The findings of this study can help us in designing care plans for women with burns.