Impact of Facial Burn Injury on Self Esteem of Burn Patients: A Hospital Based Study From Karachi

Objective: The objective of this study will be to assess the self-esteem and its association with various demographic factors among patients with facial burn injury in Karachi. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among burn patients with facial injury. 100 patients were selected through simple random sampling from burn unit of two tertiary care hospitals. Data was collected through interview technique by using State-Self Esteem Scale. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 17. Results: The mean of overall score of State of Self-esteem Scale was found to be 56.94. Score for subcomponents was found to be 20.42, 17.18 and 19.34 for Performance, Social and Appearance respectively. Mean of overall score and sub-components was dichotomized into two groups as above average and below average. Of all participants 66% have below average overall score while 34% have above average. Similarly for sub-components 52%, 73% and 40% have below average while 48%, 27% and 60% have above average score in Performance, Social and Appearance Self-Esteem respectively. Significant difference in mean of overall score and score of sub-components was found for gender, occupational status, nature of injury, reason of burn and injury sustained at, however all age groups also showed significant difference for overall and subcomponent score accept performance self-esteem. Respondents between the age brackets of 15-25 years and 46-55 years presented better scores for self-esteem in all three sub-components whereas the respondents between the age brackets of 26-35years and 36-45 years had more below average scores. Individuals with burn injuries resulting from an accident exhibited lower self-esteem as compared to those who were injured incidentally. Conclusion: The overall score of State of Self-esteem Scale of burn victims with facial injury was found to be low with 66% of subjects presenting below average scores as compared to 34% with above average scores. There is a significant association between facial burns and lower self-esteem at p-value 0.001.