Socio-demographics, Causes of Injuries, and Rehabilitation Injury Categories in a Commercial Motorcycle Road-Related Orthopedics and Neurological Surgery Cohort in Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract

Commercial motorcycle road related orthopedics and neurological injuries are one of the major causes of short- and long-term consequences requiring timely interdisciplinary referrals and in-patient physiotherapy rehabilitation together with out-patient follow-ups, to maintain and improve physical and functional level of patients. Spinal cord injuries and fractures of the vertebra and lower extremities remain one of the causes of mortality, impairments and disability to the riders, passengers and pedestrians. The objective of the study was to explore socio-demographic characteristics, causes of injuries, rehabilitation injury categories following commercial motorcycle road-related orthopedics and neurological surgery, Eldoret, Kenya. In this prospective cohort study, purposive sampling was adopted to select a sample size of 79 participants for a 6 months period of March 2021-July 2022 in 5 level hospitals, Eldoret, Kenya. The data was entered and analyzed with SPSS 20. The findings show that, from the patients’ bio-data during the study period, 79 out 150 were admitted with commercial motorcycle road-related orthopedics and neurological injuries for surgery with a prevalence rate 53%. All (100%) participants from socioeconmic backgrounds used commerical motorcycles as means of public transport. Male participants constituted to 62% and 38% females with a ratio of male to female of 4.9:3. Majority (94%) of participants were aged between 18 to 44 years with 62% aged between 18-34 years. Sixty-six per cent (66%) were admitted to orthopedics while 34% in neurological wards. All (100%) of the participants reported physical impairments and functional limitations with reduced independence level following commercial motorcycle road-related orthopedics and neurological injuries. All (100%) were referred for post-operative physiotherapy by orthopedics and neurological surgeons. More than half (62%) participants did not intend to continue with outpatient and follow-up physiotherapy rehabilitation. Majority (78%) paid their hospital health bills out of pocket with 51% coming from needy socio-economic class. However, 75% of the participants had requested for a waiver from a social worker. Based on the findings, the study concludes that interdisciplinary referral for post-operative physiotherapy by orthopedics and neurological surgeons were excellent. As a result, there is need for out-patient post-operative physiotherapy follow-ups and sensitization of NHIF registration and uptake by workers in informal sectors.