Application of Haddon’s matrix in qualitative research methodology: an experience in burns epidemiology

Reza Deljavan,¹ Homayoun Sadeghi-Bazarganim,^2,3 Nasrin Fouladim,⁴ Shahnam Arshi,⁵ Reza Mohammadi<sup>6

1</sup>Injury Epidemiology and Prevention Research Center, ²Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; ³Public Health Department, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; ⁴Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran; ⁵Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; ⁶Public Health Department, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

Background: Little has been done to investigate the application of injury specific qualitative research methods in the field of burn injuries. The aim of this study was to use an analytical tool (Haddon’s matrix) through qualitative research methods to better understand people’s perceptions about burn injuries.
Methods: This study applied Haddon’s matrix as a framework and an analytical tool for a qualitative research methodology in burn research. Both child and adult burn injury victims were enrolled into a qualitative study conducted using focus group discussion. Haddon’s matrix was used to develop an interview guide and also through the analysis phase.
Results: The main analysis clusters were pre-event level/human (including risky behaviors, belief and cultural factors, and knowledge and education), pre-event level/object, pre-event phase/environment and event and post-event phase (including fire control, emergency scald and burn wound management, traditional remedies, medical consultation, and severity indicators). This research gave rise to results that are possibly useful both for future injury research and for designing burn injury prevention plans.
Conclusion: Haddon’s matrix is applicable in a qualitative research methodology both at data collection and data analysis phases. The study using Haddon’s matrix through a qualitative research methodology yielded substantially rich information regarding burn injuries that may possibly be useful for prevention or future quantitative research.

Keywords: Haddon’s matrix, qualitative research methodology, injuries, burns, focus groups, content analysis