Acute stress disorder and its associated factors among Burn patients in jimma zone public hospitals, jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

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.