Patterns of Morbidity and Mortality amongst Motorcycle Riders and their Passengers in Benin-City Nigeria: One-year Review

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 18of 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 13.5of 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

Patterns of Morbidity and Mortality amongst Motorcycle Riders and their Passengers in Benin-City Nigeria: One-year Review

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- July 2003.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 18of 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 13.5of 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

Morbidity and Mortality among Road Users in Benin-City; Nigeria

Background/objective: Murray and Krug had reported that road traffic injuries are a major cause of death globally; with disproportionate number occurring in developing counties. Seventy out of 308 deaths that occurred in Benin City from August 2002-July 2003; representing 22.7of all deaths was due to road traffic injuries. Despite this observation; there is a paucity of data on road traffic morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns of morbidity and mortality among drivers and passengers of cars involved in road traffic accidents in Benin-City Nigeria from August 2002-July 2003 as a base line data. Methods: Eighty-seven car drivers and passengers who were studied were part of a larger study; involved in a road traffic accident and brought to the accident and emergency units of either the University of Benin Teaching Hospital or the State Specialist Hospital between August 2002- July 2003.The injured ones were examined and dead patients had autopsy done on them. Results: Over all; out of 283 total accidents cases reviewed in the period of study 87 were car occupants representing 30.7of all accident cases; and 67 patients (23.7) sustained varying injuries; while 20 patients (7.1) died. Commercial cars were involved in majority of cases 85. Males were also more in number. Intracranial hemorrhage was the predominant cause of death. Conclusion: Occupants of cars accounted for the singular most common category of morbidity and mortality among all road users. The male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Windscreen injuries most commonly associated with facial and head injuries represented the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality. The commonest autopsy finding as cause of death was intra-cranial hemorrhage

Morbidity and Mortality among Road Users in Benin-City; Nigeria

Background/objective: Murray and Krug had reported that road traffic injuries are a major cause of death globally; with disproportionate number occurring in developing counties. Seventy out of 308 deaths that occurred in Benin City from August 2002-July 2003; representing 22.7of all deaths was due to road traffic injuries. Despite this observation; there is a paucity of data on road traffic morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns of morbidity and mortality among drivers and passengers of cars involved in road traffic accidents in Benin-City Nigeria from August 2002-July 2003 as a base line data. Methods: Eighty-seven car drivers and passengers who were studied were part of a larger study; involved in a road traffic accident and brought to the accident and emergency units of either the University of Benin Teaching Hospital or the State Specialist Hospital between August 2002-July2003.The injured ones were examined and dead patients had autopsy done on them. Results: Over all; out of 283 total accidents cases reviewed in the period of study 87 were car occupants representing 30.7of all accident cases; and 67 patients (23.7) sustained varying injuries; while 20 patients (7.1) died. Commercial cars were involved in majority of cases 85. Males were also more in number. Intracranial hemorrhage was the predominant cause of death. Conclusion: Occupants of cars accounted for the singular most common category of morbidity and mortality among all road users. The male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Windscreen injuries most commonly associated with facial and head injuries represented the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality. The commonest autopsy finding as cause of death was intra-cranial hemorrhage