ABSTRACT
Objectives: To report the incidence, socio-demographic characteristics, otorhinolaryngological presentations and outcomes of management of patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital following terror attacks
Methods: A prospective descriptive hospital based study of consecutive patients presenting with ear, nose and throat injuries as a result of bomb blasts and ethno-religious crises within a six-year period and managed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital were studied for age, gender, ear, nose and throat presentations, injury mechanism, interventions and outcome of interventions. A designed proforma was used for data collection
Results: There were 107 ear, nose and throat injuries from a total 468 terror-related injuries consisting of 66 [61.7%] males and 41 [38.3%] females [M:F ratio of 1.6:1], aged between 5 and 77 years [mean=36.7 years; SD= +/- 16.2]. Two peak age incidences of injuries in the first and third decades were recorded. The commonest source of injuries was bomb blasts in 47 [44%] patients. Multiple facial fractures with soft tissue injuries were the commonest seen in 78 [72.9%] patients. The commonest associated injuries were head injuries [n=36]. Ninety-four [87.9%] patients presented via the Accident and Emergency department, 16 [15%] received prehospital care. Patients with multiple injuries stayed longer in the hospital [p=0.028]. Complications were recorded in 19 [17.8%] patients. A case fatality rate of 5.6% was recorded
Conclusion: Bomb blasts were the major form of terror attacks in our region. The presence of multiple injuries is a significant negative predictor of patient outcomes