RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Motorcycle transport: a threat to road safety in a community in Sub-Saharan Africa
JF Injury Prevention
JO Inj Prev
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP A191
OP A191
DO 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590s.6
VO 18
IS Suppl 1
A1 Bello, J
A1 Nasir, A
A1 Solagberu, B
A1 Ofoegbu, C
A1 Abdur-Rahman, L
YR 2012
UL http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/18/Suppl_1/A191.2.abstract
AB Background There is a noticeable increase in the use of motorcycles in our communities for commercial transportation. It has been reported that the risk of dying for every kilometre travelled from a motorcycle crash is 20 times higher than from a motor vehicular crash. Objectives This study was done to determine the incidence and trend of Motorcycle Injuries (MCI) in our community. Methods A prospective study of patients presenting with MCI at a University Hospital in Nigeria over a 3-year period was done using a structured questionnaire. Results There were 432 MCI patients, 5 : 1 predominance of males over females, age range 3–80 years, median 30. The yearly incidence (morbidity n; mortality % of n) were (112, 7.0%), (158, 7.5%) and (162, 15.4%) for the first, second and third year respectively. Riders were (363, 84.1%) and pedestrians (69, 16.0%). Only one rider (0.3%) wore a helmet. Common Injuries sustained were extremities alone (168, 38.9%), head injuries alone (119, 27.5%), head and extremities (110, 25.5%). Twenty-four patients (5.6%) needed intensive care; all had head injury and about three-quarters died (p<0.05). Forty-five patients (10.4%) died overall, 91% of these were head injured and none had used a crash helmet. Significance There is an increasing incidence of and mortality from MCI. Poor use of crash helmets and Head injuries is common amongst mortalities. There is need for education of riders and enforcement of helmet use.