Pattern of Injury among Students of the University of Calabar; Nigeria; Following a Violent Clash with Youths of the Neighbouring Community

ABSTRACT

Accidental traumatic injuries involving students of the University of Calabar; Nigeria and their neighbouring community were studied. The objectives of this study were to determine the body parts affected and to evaluate the type of injury sustained. The results indicate that most of the injuries were lacerations (open wound) involving the wrist/hand/finger and head; but the severest injuries (fractures and crush injury) were those incurred following assault with the axe. Males were more vulnerable than females in a ratio of 41. Committed professional awareness of accidental traumatic injury as a clinical-cum-public health problem; development of institutional/community based injury prevention programmes in requisite settings; and mass casualty coping disposition in health care delivery outfits serving tertiary educational institutions are recommended in the face of increasing youthful restiveness globally