Hand Injuries in a Suburban Hospital Bayelsa State Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To determine the etiology and pattern of presentation of patient with hand injury in a semi-urban center in Permission for this study was obtained from the ethical committee of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital. Results: The highest incidence, 56 (36.6%) of hand injuries occurred in the 20 to 30 age range. Majority 48(31.37%) of the patients were students. Road traffic accident (RTA), 37(24.18%) was the commonest cause of hand injuries and this was statistically significant [ χ 2 (p-value) = 120.77 (0.001)]. The most common injury to hand was laceration 57 (37.25%). Pain, swelling, limitation of movement and infection to the traumatized hand were the common presentations respectively, 153 (100.0%); 120 (78.4%), 80 (52.29%) and 56 (36.60%). Conclusion: Road Traffic Accident (RTA) remains the major cause of hand injury affecting more males and manual workers in the productive age group. Delayed presentation is often associated with devastating complications.