Pattern Of Extremity Gunshot Injuries Seen In Lagos University Teaching Hospital,

Abstract

Background: The rising incidence of gunshot injuries (GSI) remains one of the leading causes of death, long hospitalization and economic losses worldwide. This study was undertaken due to rising incidence of civilian GSI in Lagos, Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of extremity gunshot injuries in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: This three year crossectional study of extremity gunshot injuries was conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2002.

Results: Two hundred and fifty four patients with extremity gunshot injuries presented with 240 analyzed. Those brought in dead (BID) were excluded from the study. Ninety-five percent of the patients were males. One hundred and twenty six patients (52.5%) were in the 21 – 40 years age group. The patients were shot mainly (75%) at night and mostly (80%) by armed robbers. Shot guns were used in shooting 47.5% of patients.

Conclusion: The study showed that young adult males were more affected by GSI. Most of the shootings occurred at night by armed robbers.


NQJHM Vol. 17 (4) 2007: pp. 140-143