Cost of illness in patients with mandibular fracture following road traffic crash and its socioeconomic implications in KANO STATE, NIGERIA

• Published in: Journal of the West African College of Surgeons Vol. 5; no. 4; pp. 1 - 16
• Main Authors: Akhiwu, B I, Suleiman, H H, Muktar, M, Amole, I O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nigeria 01.10.2015
• Subjects: Road traffic crashes; Cost of illness; Drain on economy; Mandibular fractures
• ISSN: 2276-6944

The Upward trend in facial injuries following road traffic crashes has been attributed to increasing urbanization and industrialization. This study was conducted to determine the cost of illness for mandibular fractures and its socioeconomic implications. All the consecutive patients with mandibular fractures following road traffic crashes that presented to the Aminu Kano Teaching hospital in Kano State were recruited over one year. A total of 50 patients were managed during the study period with 58% in the age range 21-30 years with mean of 27.9 ± 8.1 years, motorcycle-related road traffic crashes constituted the commonest aetiology. The cost of illness for mandibular fractures was N89, 312.20 ($488) per person. Cost of managing mandibular fractures was equivalent to 8.4% of the health care budget of the state and also equivalent to 15.2 % of the GDP per capita of the year of study surpassing the cost of illness for hypertension and diabetes. These findings highlight the need for policies that would ensure safe driving, enforce the use of safety gadgets, protocols for efficient fracture management and reduced hospital stay.