title: Childhood injuries in Ilesa, South-Western Nigeria: causes, pattern, and outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Sub-Saharan Africa, infections and undernutrition are the leading causes of childhood death; however injuries are now contributing significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the aetiology, morbidity and mortality associated with injuries in children in South-Western Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational cross-sectional study of consecutive childhood injury attendances and admissions into the hospital's Children Emergency Room (CHER) over a one-year period. Socio-demographic data as well as the data on the cause, site, and possible risks of injury; parts of the body affected and eventual outcome of the patients were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Injury accounted for 382 (10.6%) of the 3,604 attendances, 142 (11.9%) of 1193 admissions and 11 (20.4%) of 54 deaths in CHER. Their ages ranged from six weeks to 15 years, with a mean (SD) of 6.7 (3.9) years, and a male:female ratio of 1.6:1. Road traffic accidents, 130 (34.0%), were the most common cause, followed by falls 119 (31.2%), cuts 44 (11.5%), bits 26 (6.8%), and burns 24 (6.3%). Injuries occurred mostly at home 154 (40.1%), on the road 142 (37.4%), and at school 59 (15.2%). Lack of supervision and/or poor anticipation of potential dangers were the leading risks associated with childhood injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injuries contribute significantly to childhood deaths in South-Western Nigeria. A well-orchestrated public enlightenment programme to improve home, school, and road supervision of children as well as concerted efforts to make these places safer could help ameliorate the situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. adegoke2samade@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Adegoke
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ademola
authors.forename: I O F
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Dedeke
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Oyelami
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*