Control/Tracking Number: 16-A-117-ABA
Activity: Abstract Submission
Current Date/Time: 9/24/2015 2:01:14 PM

Author Block: J. Radics-Johnson, MBA, D. Chacon, BA
Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, Burbank, CA; Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, San Francisco, CA

Abstract:
Introduction: Burn Camps provide support for burn survivors of all ages by offering a safe place where burn survivors can play, learn, grow, gain self-esteem, and meet other burn survivors. One of the largest and longest running Burn Camps in the nation has been running a week-long summer camp for burn injured children ages 5-16 for more than 30 years. In a 5 year retrospective review of burn camp campership of this camp, we sought to find out if the Burn Camp demographics reflect the burn center demographics reported in the 2014 National Burn Repository (NBR).

Methods: A 5 year retrospective review of a Burn Camp’s camper demographics was conducted for campers who attended burn camp between 2011-2015. Camp rosters were reviewed to determine camper gender and ethnicity. The data were reviewed to determine statistically significant differences between the Burn Camp demographics and burn center demographics as reported in the 2014 NBR.

Results: Between 2011-2015, there were 635 camper records. Results are summarized in Table 1. Fiftysix percent (n=355) were male and 44% were female (n=280) as compared to the 2014 NBR records of 68% male (n=131,118) and 32% female (n=60,730). The ethnic breakdown of campers were 7% Asian (n=45); 12% Black (n=76); 52% Hispanic (n=328); 1% Native American (n=7); 5% Other (n= 32) and 23% White (n=147). This is in comparison to the 2014 NBR ethnic breakdown of 2% Asian (n=4,398); 20% Black (n=35,789); 14% Hispanic (n=25,557); 1% Native American (n=1,495); 4% Other (n=7,491) and 59% White (n=107,310).

Conclusions: There was a higher percentage of females at the Burn Camp (44%) as compared to the 2014 NBR (32%) (p<.05, close to 0). The Black and White ethnicities were underrepresented at the Burn Camp as compared to the NBR 2014 statistics. Blacks were 12% at Burn Camp yet 20% in the 2014 NBR (p<.05, close to 0) and Whites were 23% at Burn Camp and 59% in the 2014 NBR (p<.05, close to 0). The difference in percentiles between the Burn Camp and the 2014 NBR indicates a need for more targeted efforts in recruitment for the Burn Camp.

Applicability of Research to Practice: Studies show that burn camps have a positive effect on burn survivors including improving social skills, life skills and self-esteem. Understanding burn camp demographics allows for more targeted burn camp recruitment and burn prevention efforts.