title: An epidemiological study of the burden of trauma in Makurdi, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trauma leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to elucidate the pattern and characteristics of trauma at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case records of all patients who presented to the Accident and Emergency (A and E) Department with trauma between January and December 2013 were analyzed for demographic data, types of injuries sustained, causes and circumstances of injuries, as well as outcome of treatment were extracted from the case files and entered onto a computerized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows version 15.0 (SPSS Inc; Chicago, Illinois).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 250 traumatized patients were studied consisting of 203 (81.2%) males and 47 (18.8%) females with a modal age group of 21-30 years. Unintentional injuries were the most predominant form of trauma (n = 209, 83.6%) with road traffic accidents being the leading cause (n = 180, 72.0%). Open wounds (n = 95, 28.2%) were the most common form of injury sustained and the extremities (n = 148, 43.5%), the most frequently injured body region. Most patients (n = 133, 53.2%) were treated and discharged home without permanent disabilities, while death occurred in 15.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trauma in Makurdi is a predominantly young adult male occurrence with road traffic accidents being the leading etiological factor. Reducing road traffic accidents will likely reduce mortality and morbidity due to trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Itodo C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Elachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Williams T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Yongu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Odatuwa-Omagbemi D
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Odoyoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Mue
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Edwin I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Ogwuche
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chukwukadibia N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ahachi
keywords: Injuries; Makurdi; Nigeria; road traffic accidents; trauma