article · Surgery and Clinical Practice
Gunshot injuries represent a major public health challenge in Nigeria, causing high rates of illness and death particularly among young adults. A retrospective study of 240 patients admitted to tertiary hospitals across the South-West, North-Central, and North-West regions examined demographic patterns, injury types, and survival. Most patients were men, with an average age of nearly 34 years, and individuals working in farming or business faced notable occupational vulnerability. Lower limbs were the most common injury location, followed by multiple wound sites, with more than a third of patients needing blood transfusions due to severe trauma. Although overall survival reached over 78 percent, the North-West region experienced the highest mortality rate. Age, anatomical site of injury, and transfusion requirements were critical factors linked to patient survival.
Armed violence in Nigeria severely affects working-age adults, particularly farmers and business operators who are central to local economies. Understanding regional injury patterns and survival factors helps health authorities identify where clinical demands, such as emergency blood supplies and trauma surgery, are most urgent. This evidence assists planners in tailoring emergency medical services to regional realities.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway or commercialisation opportunity, focusing instead on epidemiological analysis and clinical outcomes to inform regional public health and hospital resource allocation.
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Gunshot injuries (GSIs) pose a critical public health issue in Nigeria, driving a surge in both morbidity and mortality, especially among young adults. This retrospective cross-sectional study sheds light on the scope and outcomes of GSIs across three regions of Nigeria, South-West, North-Central, and North-West over a six-month span. By analysing data from 240 victims admitted to tertiary hospitals, the study uncovers key insights into demographics, injury patterns, and treatment outcomes. The vast majority of victims were male (91.67%), with an average age of 33.9 years, and the findings pointed to a significant occupational risk among farmers and businesspersons. Lower limb injuries were most frequent (36.67%), while multiple injuries affected 29.17% of patients. A substantial 35% required blood transfusions, often indicating more severe injuries. While the overall survival rate was promising at 78.3%, mortality peaked in the North-West region (11.02%) over six months, likely reflecting heightened violence. Crucial factors influencing survival included age, injury site, and the need for transfusions. These findings call for urgent, region-specific interventions, enhanced trauma care systems, and equitable resource allocation to reduce the toll of GSIs in Nigeria.
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DOI: 10.33425/3066-6538.1016
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