COST OF ILLNESS IN PATIENTS WITH MANDIBULAR FRACTURE FOLLOWING ROAD TRAFFIC CRASH AND ITS SOCIOECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA
*Akhiwu BI, 1Suleiman HH, 1Muktar M, 2Amole IODental and Maxillofacial Surgery Department , Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. E-mail- bakhiwu@yahoo.com
1 Department of Economics. Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
2Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Department , Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
*Correspondence
Grant support: None
Conflict of Interest: None
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Background: Background: The Upward trend in facial injuries following road traffic crashes has been attributed to increasing urbanization and industrialization.
Aim: This study was conducted to determine the cost of illness for mandibular fractures and its socioeconomic implications.
Methodology: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords: Mandibular fractures, Road traffic crashes, Cost of illness, Drain on economy.
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