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. 2022 Oct 11:43:73.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2022.43.73.35900. eCollection 2022.

Factors associated with head injury among survivors of motorcycle crashes: a case-control study in northern Ghana

Anthony Baffour Appiah  1 , Patricia Akweongo  2 , Samuel Sackey  1 , Martin Tangnaa Morna  3 , Ernest Kenu  1 , Alexis Dun Bo-Ib Buunaaim  4 , Samuel Akobour Yaw Debrah  3 , Thomas Kolawole Ojo  5 , Peter Donkor  6 , Charles Mock  7
Affiliations

Factors associated with head injury among survivors of motorcycle crashes: a case-control study in northern Ghana

Anthony Baffour Appiah et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: the increasing use of motorcycles in northern Ghana is associated with a high incidence of motorcycle crashes and resultant head injuries. This study sought to determine factors associated with head injuries among survivors of motorcycle crashes in northern Ghana.

Methods: a prospective unmatched case-control study was conducted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). A total of 326 cases (victims who suffered a head injury with or without other injuries) and 294 controls (persons who suffered various injuries except for head injury) from motorcycle crashes were consecutively sampled at TTH from December 15, 2019, to May 15, 2020. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview patients in addition to medical records review. Factors associated with head injury were examined using multivariable logistic regression at p<0.05 and a 95% confidence interval.

Results: the prevalence of head injury was 53.03% among of 660 survivors of motorcycle crashes. The majority of the patients were young males aged 15-44 years. The rate of helmet use was lower in cases (12.88%) than in controls (57.82%) (p<0.001). Factors associated with head injury were not wearing helmet (AOR= 9.80, 95% CI: 6.22, 15.43), male (AOR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.85), student (AOR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.91), and alcohol use within 24 hours (AOR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.70).

Conclusion: non-use of helmet and male gender significantly increased the risk of head injury risk in this study. Alcohol use and being a student were associated with lower odds of head injuries. Motorcycle safety efforts in the study area should emphasize helmet promotion.

Keywords: Motorcycle; case-control; head injury; risk factors; survivors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
sample selection based on criteria for cases and controls
Figure 2
Figure 2
head injuries sustained among survivors of motorcycle crashes in northern Ghana
Figure 3
Figure 3
severity of head injuries among survivors of motorcycle crashes in northern Ghana
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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