Motorcycle-related injuries at a university teaching hospital in north central Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Motorcycle-related injuries lead to considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern and outcome of motorcycle-related injuries at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria.Patients and Methods:Case records of all patients who presented to the accident and emergency department with motorcycle-related injuries between July 2012 and June 2013 were analysed for age, gender, injury host status (i.e. rider, pillion or pedestrian), nature of collision (motorcycle versus other vehicles, motorcycle versus motorcycle, motorcycle versus pedestrian or lone riders), body region injured, injury severity score (ISS) at arrival, length of hospital stay (LOS) and mortality.Results:Seventy - nine patients with motorcycle-related injuries were included in the study. They consisted of 63 males (61.8%) and 16 females (15.7%). The age range was 5-65 years with a mean of 32.4 ± 14.0. Motorcycle versus vehicle collisions were the most common mechanism of injury (n = 46, 58.2%). Musculoskeletal injuries constituted the most common injuries sustained (n = 50, 47.6%) and the tibia was the most frequently fractured bone (n = 14, 35.9%). The majority of patients (57.0%) sustained mild/moderate injuries (ISS ≤ 15). There was no statistically significant difference between the sexes for sustaining mild/moderate injuries or severe/profound injuries (P > 0.05). Mortality rate was 6.3% with head injuries being involved in all cases.Conclusion:Young males were mostly injured in motorcycle-related trauma. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common injuries sustained and head injuries were involved in all the deaths. Enforcement of motorcycle crash bars and helmet usage is recommended.

Civilian penetrating gunshot injury to the neurocranium in Enugu

“…It has been reported to account for 7.2% of gunshots in North-Central Nigeria. [ 9 ] We found a male preponderance, most of whom are in the third and fourth decades of life consistent with other findings within and outside Nigeria. [ 7 9 10 ] This depicts the potential catastrophic sequel of these injuries as patients are in the productive age group with far-reaching consequences to their families and the nation at large.…”

Characteristics and Factors Associated with Injuries Sustained by Motorcycle Occupants Admitted to Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Sri Lanka from 2010 to 2014

“…According to a study done in Nigeria, 70% of the riders were less than 40 years of age. [18] Similar percentages were observed in this study too. However, 28% of the pillion riders in this study were less than 20 years.…”

“…[7,9,12 ] Lower ratios were observed in studies done in Cameroon (1.09:1) Nigeria (3.9:1), and Tanzania (2.3:1). [17,18,10] In a study done in Karachi, the observed ratio was 5.7:1, which is much similar to the overall ratio observed in this study. Even though the ratios are high for motorcycle riders in our country, it is very low for the pillion riders.…”

“…Similar observations were made in other studies as well. [18,30,31] Out of the motor vehicle crashes, collision against the motor car was the commonest in many studies. [7,26] However, in the present study, a three-wheeler was the commonest motor vehicle responsible for collisions.…”

Who plays the major role in fatal injuries by motorcycle in developing countries?

“…described the pattern and outcome of motorcycle-related injuries at a university hospital in Makurdi, Nigeria. 1 In Iran, we had conducted a hospital-based study to evaluate the fatal injuries associated with motor vehicle crashes, and we obtained a burdensome rate of 20% mortality rate among motor vehicle crashes. 2 Iran, a country that has challengeable problems related to this vital issue of public health, suffers a substantial economic loss each year due to fatal injuries because of a variety of reasons.…”