Abstract:
Background: Burns are terrible injuries that frequently cause a great deal of morbidity,
emotional distress, and a reduced quality of life. Acute stress disorder involves immediate stress
reactions following a traumatic event, occurring within the first month. For individuals with
burns, the effects extend beyond physical injuries to include social, economic, occupational, and
psychological challenges. Despite having a high burden of this problem, there is a limited study
done in Ethiopia that shows the prevalence and associated factors of acute stress disorder
among burn patients.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of acute stress disorder and its associated factors among
burn patients at Jimma Zone Public Hospitals, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2025.
Method: - A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed among 289 patients with burn
injuries. Consecutive sampling technique was used and Interviewer-administered questionnaires
were used to collect data. The acute stress disorder scale (ASDS-19) was used to assess acute
stress disorder. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package the Social Science version 25
computer software. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used for data
analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for the association,
and the odds ratio with 95 % CI was used to determine the strength of the association.
Result: In this study, the prevalence of acute stress disorder was 24.8(95% CI: 19.6-30.4).
Among 286 respondents with a response rate of 98.9%, were found to have acute stress disorder.
Patients with third-degree burns (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.27–8.58), Presence of complications
(AOR=2.9; 95% CI: 1.24–6.8), History of trauma (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.09–8.89),
Hospitalization duration (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.13–6.4), Chronic medical conditions (AOR =
2.9; 95% CI: 1.26–6.74) were the factors significantly associated with ASD.
Conclusion: The prevalence of acute stress disorder among burn patients was nearly one-fourth,
and the findings suggest the need for targeted interventions, including early psychological
screening and support for high-risk groups. Third-degree burns, presence of complications,
history of trauma, prolonged Hospitalization, and chronic medical conditions were significantly
associated with acute stress disorder.
