Left-handedness as a risk factor for head injuries.
OBJECTIVE
To study prevalence of left-handedness among traumatic patients with head injuries.


METHODS
A case-control study.


METHODS
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty three traumatic patients newly admitted to a surgical ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre during one month period with exception of patients with arm injury, severe injury and confused patients.


METHODS
Maximal grip strength of both hands, questionnaire on hand preferred for eight habitual activities.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of left-handers determined on the basis of bilateral asymmetry in maximal grip strength was non-significantly higher in traumatic than in the control group. Relative to the control group, lefties were over-represented among victims of head injury, while prevalence of left-handers among patients with leg and trunk injuries and among controls was similar. Left-handed patients were more likely to sustain head traumas during fighting, road transport accidents and sport activities. Possible reasons for increased level of traumatisation among sinistrals are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Left-handedness is a risk factor for head injuries obtained during confrontational activities. Therefore, left handers should avoid such type of behaviour in order to reduce traumatisation rate.
Zverev
Y
Y
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
Adeloye
A
A
D000057:Accident Proneness; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006225:Hand; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution