Obiora Jude Uchendu1 , Nkadi Francis Nwachokor2 , Eseroghene Arthur Ijomone3
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Study of Adult Injury Fatality in Nigeria Obiora Jude Uchendu1 , Nkadi Francis Nwachokor2 , Eseroghene Arthur Ijomone3
Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology Vol. 14 No. 4 (2020): Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
Publisher : Institute of Medico-legal Publications Pvt Ltd

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.37506/ijfmt.v14i4.12129

Abstract

Background: Although Injury is a major cause of death in low and middle income countries, its demographiccharacteristics in such regions is poorly characterized.Aims and Objective: The study aims at determining the demographic pattern of adult injury-related deathsin a metropolitan City in Nigeria.Materials and Methods: This is a 14-year (2003-2016) descriptive retrospective autopsy study of adultinjury fatalities in Warri, Nigeria. The gender, age, and causes of death analyzed using SPSS version 22 andthe results presented in tables and figures.Results: Of the 975 medico-legal deaths in this city from 2003 to 2016, 860(88.2%) deaths were attributedto adult injury; among 778 (90.5%) males and 82 (9.5%) females. The highest and lowest incidence wereamong the 21-30 years (39.8%) and 51-60 years (6.6%) age brackets respectively. Homicide, accident andsuicide contributed 639 (74.3%), 205 (23.8%) and 16 (1.9%) of the fatalities respectively. Firearm injury(47.4%), road injury (11.7%), sharp weapon injury (18.1%), blunt injury (8.1%), drowning (3.5%), burnsinjury (2.9%), electrocution (2.3%), hanging (1.5%) and petrochemical gas inhalation (1.3%) and falls(0.9%) were the major causes of death.Conclusion: Adult injury fatality is poorly addressed public health problem in Nigeria. The study showedhigh vulnerability of victims in the 3rd decade of life and a disproportionately higher male fatality. Homicideis the most common manner of death while is very rare. Proper understanding of causes and manners ofthese preventable deaths is necessary to public health interventions and policies.