Epidemiological Pattern of Traumatic Deaths in a Tertiary Health Institution in South-south Nigeria: An 11-year Retrospective Autopsy Study

Abstract

Background: Trauma is an important cause of death in our environment, and data on its epidemiological pattern is critical for strategic planning and policy formulation. Aim: To determine the epidemiological pattern of traumatic deaths in a tertiary health institution in South-South Nigerian. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of traumatic deaths cases autopsied in our institution, from January 2011 to December 2021. Source of information were the autopsy registers of the Department. Results: Medicolegal autopsies were performed on 3,620 cases, 1020 cases (28.2%) of which were traumatic deaths. The M:F ratio was 4.5:1. The age range was 1-100 years with a mean age of 39.5±15.9 years; a modal age group of 30-39 years (27.1%); with the 20–49-year age groups accounting for 703 cases constituting a 68.9% majority. Most common were cases due to road traffic accidents - 879(86.2%) cases. Followed by Gunshot injury and assault - 105(10.3%) and 33(3.2%) respectively. Head injury was the most common cause of death - 684(67%); followed by Haemorrhagic shock - 306(30%). Neurogenic shock, overwhelming sepsis and cardiogenic shock were rare causes of death. Conclusion: Head injury from road traffic accidents accounted for the highest cause of trauma deaths. Necessity is thus laid on our government and policy makers to improve the safety on our roads to reduce deaths from road traffic accidents.