Main Article Content
Children In Civil Crisis: The Jos Experience
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This article examines the effects of the September 2001 and May 2002 civil crises in Jos, Nigeria, on children and their health in order to make recommendations.
METHODS: Between 7th and 12th September 2001, and on 2nd May 2002, Jos town and its environs experienced intense civil crises that were orchestrated by religious and ethnic grievances. The victims of those crises that were managed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital were studied. We retrospectively reviewed the victims' accident and emergency notes, operation registers and case files. Information extracted included demographic data, mechanism, nature and site of injury, type of weapons, treatment and outcome of management.
RESULTS: A total of 463 patients were managed as a result of the crises, but complete data were available for analysis in 389. Out of the 389, 61 (15.7%) were children (<15 years) and adolescents (<19 years). Forty-five (73.8%) were males and 16 (26.2%) were females. (male: female ratio =3:1). Their ages ranged from 3 weeks to 19 years (median: 17 years).
CONCLUSION: With the rising incidence of civil conflicts in Nigeria, governments should be concerned with the plights of the children. The effects of war on children are horrendous in many ways, but can be limited by providing timely and appropriate health care.
Nig Jnl Orthopaedics & Trauma Vol.2(2) 2003: 109-111
METHODS: Between 7th and 12th September 2001, and on 2nd May 2002, Jos town and its environs experienced intense civil crises that were orchestrated by religious and ethnic grievances. The victims of those crises that were managed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital were studied. We retrospectively reviewed the victims' accident and emergency notes, operation registers and case files. Information extracted included demographic data, mechanism, nature and site of injury, type of weapons, treatment and outcome of management.
RESULTS: A total of 463 patients were managed as a result of the crises, but complete data were available for analysis in 389. Out of the 389, 61 (15.7%) were children (<15 years) and adolescents (<19 years). Forty-five (73.8%) were males and 16 (26.2%) were females. (male: female ratio =3:1). Their ages ranged from 3 weeks to 19 years (median: 17 years).
CONCLUSION: With the rising incidence of civil conflicts in Nigeria, governments should be concerned with the plights of the children. The effects of war on children are horrendous in many ways, but can be limited by providing timely and appropriate health care.
Nig Jnl Orthopaedics & Trauma Vol.2(2) 2003: 109-111
