Patterns of morbidity and mortality amongst motorcycle riders and their passengers in Benin-city Nigeria: One-year review

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate patterns of morbidity and mortality among bike riders and pillion seat passengers involved in road traffic accidents in Benin-City Nigeria between August 2003-July 2004. Methods: A total of Fifty-one bike riders and pillion seat passengers, who participated in this study were part of a larger study, involved in a road traffic accident and were brought to the accident and emergency unit of either the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) or the State Specialist Hospital between August 2002-July2003.The injured ones were examined and dead patients had an autopsy done on them Results: A total of 51 cases of bikes riders/pillion seat passenger accidents were recorded representing 18% of total accidents. 35 motorbike riders/pillion seat passengers were struck down by cars (68.6%). Seven bike riders/pillion seat passengers (13.5%) were struck by articulated vehicles. 7 bike riders/pillion seat passengers representing 13.5% of cases were stuck by buses, 2 (3.9%) pillion seat passengers fell of bikes from epilepsies and sustained secondary injuries. Males were more in number with a ratio of 2.5; 1. One hundred percent (100%) or all motorcyclist and their passengers did not use helmets. Conclusion: Cars struck down most bike riders and their pillion seat passengers. Males were more than females in number. The commonest autopsy findings as cause of death was intra-cranial hemorrhage preventable by the use of crash helmets. Key words: Road traffic accident, motorcycle riders, morbidity, mortality Page | 83Conclusions: la plupart des motocyclistes et passagers étaient renversés par les voitures. Parmi les victimes, les hommes étaient plus nombreux que les femmes. Partout dans les résultats de l'autopsie, la cause la plus courante des morts était l'hémorragie intracrânienne.

Knowledge, attitude and compliance with safety protective devices among commercial motorcyclists in Tudun-Wada Zaria, North-Western Nigeria

“…This is similar to the finding of Alti-Muazu et al, in Zaria and Nzegwu in Benin City. [11,12] Majority (77.2%) of the respondents do not use safety protective devices while riding motorcycle, reasons given by many (60.0%) is that they do not have the money to buy it. While 37.8% claimed it was disturbing and covers their field of vision.…”

The epidemiology and type of injuries seen at the accident and emergency unit of a Nigerian referral center

“…[22] Almost all income groups except the elite use the motorcycle to commute within the cities. [23] They became popular because they provided a means of livelihood to a teeming number of unemployed youths and the ease they offer in circumventing road traffic hold ups and the ability to navigate remote and non-motorable parts of cities. [22] These youths as stated are in their productive and reproductive stages of life.…”

Commercial motorcycle drivers' perceptions of risk and road safety in urban Nigeria: an explorative study

“…al, 2009;Nwadairo et. al, 2011;Nzegwu et. al 2008;Solagberu et al, 2006;Amoran, Eme, Giwa, & Gbolahan, 2006;Alti-Muazu and Aliyu, 2008;Oginni, Ugboko and Adewole, 2007).…”

“…Many of the road rules are also poorly enforced, as many commercial cyclists and passengers do not 5 conform to the crash helmet law (Olagunju, 2009(Olagunju, , 2011Nwadairo et al, 2011;Nzegwu et. al 2008;Solagberu et.…”