Burn Education in Cambodia:

In Cambodia, (pop. 13 million; median age 19.2) a conservative estimate is that there are at least 2000 burn deaths and 20 000 burn injuries annually. A substantial number of those who survive, suffer permanently disabling scars. Two thirds of all burns in Cambodia happen to children under the age of ten and two-thirds of those to toddlers (age 5 - 15). Half of the burns in Cambodia are flame burns, a quarter scalds and one-fifth are acid burns.

The Office of International Surgery in cooperation with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) supported a medical student project to design and implement a culturally appropriate burn prevention project. The students identified the most common causes of pediatric burns. They then reviewed the national school science curriculum, developed a lesson plan and a poster with Khmer style artwork, which was distributed in the Kampot district schools. The poster introduced internationally accepted burn prevention messages of "stop, drop and roll" and "cool the burn with water". Steps are currently underway to include these changes the next national curriculum review.