Motorcycle Injury: An Emerging Menace To Child Health In Nigeria

Abstract

Background: In Nigeria, road traffic injuries (RTI) are among leading causes of morbidity and mortality and motorcycles have become a major means of transportation. Hence the need, to document the impact of motorcycle injuries on child health. Objectives: To study the pattern and features of childhood motorcycle injuries (MCI) seen in Ilesa; a semi-urban community and compare the results with those of non-motorcycle vehicular injuries (NMCVI). Methodology: A 12-month prospective study of consecutive childhood RTI attendances and admissions into the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of the Wesley Guild Hospital. Data was obtained and analysed on the children and the vehicles as well as the circumstances, mechanism, nature, severity and outcome of the injuries. Results: RTI accounted for 8.0% of overall CHER attendances and 17.6% of deaths. Over half (50.2%) of the 263 RTI were due to MCI (83.5% of which were for commercial commuter use). Compared with NMCVI, statistically significant numbers of the children with MCI tended more to be pedestrians, younger, unaccompanied and more severely injured. MCI accounted for 88.5% of the 26 RTI deaths. Conclusions: MCI contribute significantly to the high childhood RTI incidence, morbidity and mortality in this community. Recommendation: Appropriate education of school pupils and teachers, parents, motorcyclists and other road users should be undertaken and backed with road safety measures. Perhaps use of motorcycles for municipal transportation should be deemphasised.