Musculoskeletal injuries: A cross-sectional study in Irrua, Nigeria

Background: Injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people of various age groups globally. Its economic impact on victims and family is tremendous. Strengthening of legislation and enforcement of extant rules and regulations on prevention and treatment are crucial. The aim of this study as to determine the pattern of musculoskeletal injuries among patients as they present at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua, Edo State of Nigeria.Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study of consecutive patients who presented at the accident and emergency department of ISTH with musculoskeletal injury, severe enough to require inpatient care for at least 24 hours, from January 1, 2014-December 31, 2014.Results: One hundred fifty-one patients were recruited. Median age was 35.6 years. Age range was 4 to 99 years. The majority of participants (72.9%) fell within the 20-to 50-year age group. Road traffic collision was the leading cause of injury (121 patients; 80%), and 67.8% of these injuries were motorcycle-related. Passengers constituted 48.8% of victims. Twenty-six (17.2%) patients had only soft tissue injuries while 125 (82.8%) had both bony and soft tissue injuries. The lower limb was the most frequently injured body part. The tibia and femur were the most frequently injured bones.Conclusions: Injury is a leading cause of morbidity in Irrua. Road traffic collisions were the leading cause, occurring among the economically viable age groups, thereby imposing severe social pressures on the victims, their families, as well as the health system. Enforcement of extant traffic rules and strengthening of trauma prevention and trauma service delivery systems is advised.Keywords: injuries; musculoskeletal; Irrua; Nigeri