The rising incidence of maxillofacial injuries due to motorcycle ("Okada") crashes in Nigeria: A need for strict legislation
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Date
2004-05-01
Authors
Adeyemo, W.L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Afr J Trauma
Abstract
In automobile crashes, the maxillofacial area is the most frequently injured region. It has been reported that road traffic crashes are the major causes of maxillofacial injuries in Nigeria. This is in contrast to reports from Europe, America and some countries in southern Africa where interpersonal violence is the major cause of maxillofacial injuries. The increase in the incidence of maxillofacial fractures from road traffic injuries (RTIs) in the 1970s and 1980s in Nigeria was attributed to the sudden increase in motor vehicle ownership in addition to inadequate and poor maintenance of intercity highways and non-compliance with the use of seat belts. Motorcycles popularly known in Nigeria as “Okada” have become a popular means of transportation in many communities in Nigeria. Although it has been observed in developed countries that motorcycles are less implicated in maxillofacial fractures due to RTIs, reports from urban and semi-urban centres in Nigeria show a striking increase in the number of maxillofacial fractures that resulted from motorcycle crashes. Table 1 shows the analysis of RTIs due to motor vehicles and motorcycles in four study periods
in Ibadan, south west Nigeria. Between 1965 and 1995 in Ibadan the proportion of motorcycle-related maxillofacial injuries sustained by motorists in Ibadan (Table 1) seen between 1978 and 1982 could be attributed to economic oil boom period.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Maxillofacial injuries , Motorcycle , Okada , Rising incidence , Strict legislation , Research Subject Categories::ODONTOLOGY
Citation
Adeyemo WL. The rising incidence of maxillofacial injuries due to motorcycle ("Okada") crashes in Nigeria: A need for strict legislation. Afr J Trauma 2004;2:96.