BACKGROUND: Motorcycles have become a very popular means of transportation in Nigeria. This paper is a hospital based study of limb injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents in an urban centre in Nigeria. METHOD: All patients reporting to the emergency department of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife with limb injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents between June 1998 and May 1999 were selected for this prospective study. RESULT: One hundred and fifteen (79.3%) out of the 145 victims of motorcycle accidents that reported to the hospital had injuries involving their limbs. The Male: Female ratio was 2.8:1. The mean age was 31.9 +/- 16.7 (S. D.) years, and 20-29 years; the most commonly involved age group. 42.2% were due to collision with automobiles, 22% pedestrian while 8.7% were collisions between motorcycles. The use of protective/safety devices was practically non-existent. Seventy-six (66.1%) patients had lower limbs injuries, 25 (21.7%) patients had upper limb injuries while the remaining 14 (12.2%) injured both upper and lower limbs. The tibia was the most commonly fractured bone (32 patients, 27.8%) followed by the femur (25 patients, 21.7%). Eighty-six patients (74.8%) with fractures were managed by close reduction and splinting. Eighteen (15.7%) patients had internal fixation. CONCLUSION: Motorcycle accident is an important cause of limb injuries in the developing worlds. Motorcyclists need to be encouraged to use protective/safety devices.
BACKGROUND: Motorcycles have become a very popular means of transportation in Nigeria. This paper is a hospital based study of limb injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents in an urban centre in Nigeria. METHOD: All patients reporting to the emergency department of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife with limb injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents between June 1998 and May 1999 were selected for this prospective study. RESULT: One hundred and fifteen (79.3%) out of the 145 victims of motorcycle accidents that reported to the hospital had injuries involving their limbs. The Male: Female ratio was 2.8:1. The mean age was 31.9 +/- 16.7 (S. D.) years, and 20-29 years; the most commonly involved age group. 42.2% were due to collision with automobiles, 22% pedestrian while 8.7% were collisions between motorcycles. The use of protective/safety devices was practically non-existent. Seventy-six (66.1%) patients had lower limbs injuries, 25 (21.7%) patients had upper limb injuries while the remaining 14 (12.2%) injured both upper and lower limbs. The tibia was the most commonly fractured bone (32 patients, 27.8%) followed by the femur (25 patients, 21.7%). Eighty-six patients (74.8%) with fractures were managed by close reduction and splinting. Eighteen (15.7%) patients had internal fixation. CONCLUSION: Motorcycle accident is an important cause of limb injuries in the developing worlds. Motorcyclists need to be encouraged to use protective/safety devices.
Authors: Itodo C Elachi; Williams T Yongu; Odatuwa-Omagbemi D Odoyoh; Daniel D Mue; Edwin I Ogwuche; Chukwukadibia N Ahachi Journal: Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci Date: 2015 Apr-Jun
Authors: Itodo C Elachi; Benjamin B Okunola; Williams T Yongu; Ndubuisi Oc Onyemaechi; Odoyoh D Odatuwa-Omagbemi; Chukwukadibia N Ahachi; Daniel D Mue Journal: Niger Med J Date: 2014-11
Authors: Ivor W Crandon; Hyacinth E Harding; Shamir O Cawich; Morton A C Frankson; Georgiana Gordon-Strachan; Noel McLennon; Archibald H McDonald; Doreen Fearon-Boothe; Nicole Meeks-Aitken; Karen Watson-Jones; Kenneth C James Journal: BMC Res Notes Date: 2009-08-29