Burns: Why give special attention to adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean from a primary health prevention perspective?
Journal
Medwave
ISSN
0717-6384
Date Issued
2023
Author(s)
Alice Blukacz
Rodrigo Fuentes
Carmina Domic
Carola Paredes
Rolando Saavedra
Jorge Rojas-Zegers
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
URL Institutional Repository
Abstract
<jats:p>The existing evidence on burns in the underage population has focused mainly on children under ten years, leaving behind the age group defined as "adolescents" by the World Health Organization. However, adolescents present their own characteristics that differentiate them from their younger counterparts. These differences are relevant from a primary prevention perspective, focusing on preventing illness or injury. In this context, this article reflects on why adolescents need special attention in the primary prevention of burns in Latin America and the Caribbean. First, burn scenarios in adolescents are often linked to participation in risky activities due to pressure, social desirability, or low perception of the associated risks. Second, it is essential to emphasize that adolescents may experience social vulnerability, which entails a higher risk of suffering an intentional or unintentional burn. Third, the risk of burns in adolescents may be related to mental health and self-harm scenarios. These aspects need to be investigated through both quantitative and qualitative studies to design and implement primary prevention strategies relevant to this population group in the region.</jats:p>
Cite this document
Blukacz, A., Fuentes, R., Cabieses, B., Obach, A., Domic, C., Paredes, C., Saavedra, R., & Rojas-Zegers, J. (2023). Burns: Why give special attention to adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean from a primary health prevention perspective? Medwave, 23(05), e2679-e2679. https://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2023.05.2679
Subjects
adolescents
;
burns
;
indigenous peoples
;
latin america
;
migrants
;
adolescent
;
burns
;
caribbean region
;
child
;
humans
;
latin america
;
mental health
;
adolescent
;
burn
;
caribbean
;
child
;
human
;
mental health
;
south and central america