Pattern of Gunshot Injuries – Experience from Baptist Medical Centre, Eku, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Gunshots injuries following communal clashes, youth restiveness and armed violence have reached epidemic proportions in Nigeria.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of injuries and management of gunshot wounds in a referral centre in Delta State.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of gunshot injuries seen in Baptist Medical Centre, Eku (BMCE), Delta State between January 1st 2004 and December 31st 2005. Results: There were 99 patients identified for study. Eighty-five (85.9%) of the patients were males and 14.1% (14) were females. The mean age of the male patients was 33.03 years and 30.29 years for female patients. The assailants were identified as armed robbers in 82.9% of the cases. The mean injury-arrival time was 6.02 hours. The lower limb (32.3%) was the most commonly involved single region and 23
patients (23.2%) had involvement of multiple regions. There were four (4.04%) fatalities and were directly related to prolonged injury to arrival time and 18 (18.18%) patients had complications mostly wound infection.
Conclusion: Gunshot wounds are common in Delta state. Access to prompt medical care will reduce mortality and morbidity associated with gunshot injuries. Poverty eradication and firearm restriction are recommended preventive measures.

Keywords: Gunshot injuries, pattern, Eku, Nigeria.