Patterns of traumatic long-bone fractures in North-Eastern Nigeria: a prospective multicenter study in 5 tertiary hospitals in Nigeria

Background: Traumatic musculoskeletal injuries have formed a significant burden on healthcare delivery worldwide. Long bone fractures are the most common musculoskeletal injuries encountered in this category and with the advent of insurgency in the northeastern part of Nigeria, there has been a rising incidence of assaults, gunshots, and other traumatic causes of long bone fractures. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of patients with traumatic long-bone fractures in north-east Nigeria presenting in the tertiary hospitals involved in the study during the 6months study period (September, 2023 to February 2024). information of all patients presenting with traumatic long bone fractures were collected; biodata, presenting complains and findings on examination including the Glasgow coma scores were collected and documented. Radiological findings and intervention given. All information were collected and documented using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Results: 227 patients were seen from the five major tertiary centers in north-eastern Nigeria that participated in the study. The 123 patients (54.2%) from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa university teaching hospital (ATBUTH)-Bauchi, 43 patients (18.9%) from Modibo university teaching hospital (MAUTH)-Yola, 32 patients (14.1%) were seen in Federal medical center (FMC)-Jalingo, 18 patients (7.9%) from federal teaching hospital (FTH)-Gombe and 11 patients (4.8%) from Maiduguri teaching hospital Maiduguri (UMTH)-Maiduguri. The 178 (79.1%) were males and 47(20.9%) females, making a male to female ratio of 4:1. Conclusions: Long bone fracture causes a significant health care burden in north-East Nigeria with a high incidence of road traffic accidents, assaults and gunshots likely from the increasing effects of insurgency and kidnappings activities in this region.