Introduction: Burn injuries are prevalent worldwide. In Singapore, burn injuries are the third most common cause of injury amongst children. Caregiver first aid can mitigate the devastating effects of paediatric burn injuries, however, only 24% of caregivers were equipped with appropriate first aid knowledge. 
Our aim was to raise the level of knowledge regarding paediatric burns first aid by determining current deficiencies and assessing the efficacy of a short, structured educational intervention. 

Method: Over a 12-week period, 263 caregivers were surveyed at the paediatric emergency department and burn clinic of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The questionnaire recorded caregiver demographics and knowledge of burn first aid pre-intervention. A pictorial educational poster was then given to each caregiver, together with standardised burn first aid advice. The survey resumed thereafter and the post-intervention questions were completed. 

Results: Of the 263 surveys conducted, 248 complete responses were obtained. We found a statistically significant increase in knowledge of caregivers immediately following the intervention. A statistically significant predictor of improved post-interventional scores was the caregivers’ highest educational level. >60% of caregivers felt a topical agent was essential in burn first aid, which reflected a particular predilection in Asian communities such as in Singapore.

Conclusion: Our study shows it is possible to correct knowledge gaps in the immediate period through a simple pictorial guide, regardless of educational background. Our study also identified a short, structured method for a focused national educational campaign to decrease paediatric burn incidence.

Effectiveness of Basic Educational Intervention in Paediatric Burns First Aid