title: MAXILLOFACIAL SOFT TISSUE INJURIES IN NAIROBI, KENYA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the aetiological factors and pattern of occurrence of maxillofacial soft tissue injuries (MF-STIs) presenting at a Kenyan National Referral Hospital in Nairobi.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The accident and emergency department of the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) between September 2009 and December 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and twenty two patients treated for MF-STIs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The male to female ratio was 3.3:1. Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) were the leading cause of MF-STIs (44.6%) followed by interpersonal violence (IPV) (39.1%). MVA (50.0%) was the leading cause of MF-STIs in the less than 12-year-olds while falls from heights (58.3%) was the leading cause in under five-year-olds. IPV (48.1%) was the leading cause of facial fractures. There were no skeletal fractures observed in the under five-year-olds. Head injury (36%) and fractures of the long bones (52%) were the most common associated injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The leading causes of MF-STIs apparently differ from those of skeletal fractures.
authors: Kenya Defence Forces, Nairobi.
authors: E K
authors: EK
authors: Bernard
authors: M K
authors: MK
authors: Akama
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Odhiambo
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Chindia
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Mua
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*