Vehicular Road Deaths in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Referral Centre's Experience

Objective: To highlight the consequences of increasing road traffic accidents in the Nigerian Niger Delta. Method: Medico legal autopsies were done in 358 cases in a 6-year period covering 1995 to 2000 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, a major referral centre in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Results: Most of the road related deaths came from motorcycle accidents – 53.1%. Car and truck passenger and pillion passengers were at more risk of dying than the drivers and cyclists respectively. The ratio was 3:1 in car and truck users and 2:1 in motorcycle users. The 10 – 49 years age group suffered the greatest setback constituting 66.5% of the victims. The male/female ratio was 1.4:1 and the injuries resulting in most deaths affected the head region – 43.3%. Multiple and limb injuries followed at 27.4% and 20.1% respectively. Up to 22 out of 43 pedestrians died from cars and trucks related accidents with more males involved – 28.15%. Conclusion: Road related deaths have become a major scourge in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Key Words: Road accidents; Death on the road; Niger Delta, Nigeria Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.15(1&2) 2003: 41-44