Effectiveness of 'The Basics of Burn Care Course' in Uganda.

Abstract

Burn injuries cause approximately 180,000 deaths annually and are a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Education of healthcare professionals is essential to improve outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the 'Basics of Burn Care Course' in improving knowledge of healthcare workers in Uganda. This three-day course was conducted in 2022 in Kampala by experts from Uganda and the Netherlands. The program combined lectures and hands-on workshops on initial evaluation, wound care, and scar management. Knowledge gain was assessed through identical tests administered before, immediately after, and six months post-course. Fifty-three healthcare workers participated; 24 completed all three tests. Mean scores improved from 6.5 ± 1.5 pre-course to 8.2 ± 1.3 post-course (p < 0.001). At six months, mean scores (7.6 ± 1.3) remained above baseline. Nurses started with lower baseline scores but showed the strongest improvement and good retention. Using Bonferroni-adjusted significance levels (p < 0.025), improvements among all subgroups were significant pre- to post-course. At six months, no subgroup showed significant decline, indicating sustained retention. All respondents found the course useful, citing improved skills, confidence, or patient care. This study shows that the 'Basics of Burn Care Course' significantly improved knowledge of burn care among healthcare workers in Uganda, supporting its potential to strengthen burn management in LMICs.