Pattern of seat belt use by drivers in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Trinidad and Tobago, the law on the mandatory use of seat belts was passed in 1995, but this law is hardly enforced. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and predictors of seat belt use by motor vehicle drivers in the country.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A cross-sectional study of 959 motor vehicle drivers using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis included Pearson Chi square test and multinomial logistic regression analysis in order to determine the possible predictors of seat belt use by the drivers in Trinidad and Tobago. A majority of the drivers sometimes (51.8%) or always (31.6%) use a seat belt. About 16.7%, 29% and 54.2% of the drivers perceived that the other drivers use their seat belts more frequently, with the same frequency and less frequently respectively compared to themselves. The main reason for not using seat belt by the drivers was given as frequent stops (40.7%) and the main motivation to use seat belt by the drivers was given as stiffer penalties for non-compliance with the seat belt law (44.5%). The predictors of seat belt use were male driver, no formal or lower level of education, driving for less than 10 years, and the perception that the other drivers use seat belts with the same or higher frequency compared to the respondents.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Only a small proportion of the drivers in Trinidad and Tobago always use a seat belt when driving. There is the need to enforce the seat belt legislation in the country.</p

Emergency traumatic Diaphragmatic injuries in Benin city

Diaphragmatic injuries (DI) frequently accompany thoracoabdominal trauma. The diagnosis remains a challenge to surgeons and radiologists worldwide but missed injuries to the diaphragm is associated with great morbidity and mortality. We aimed to determine the prevalence of this injury in acute trauma and in general present our institutions’s experience in a developing nation. Patients and Methods: This was a 3-year prospective study at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital-a referral trauma centre in Mid-Western Nigeria. Trauma laparotomy forms were completed for all adult patients who had laparotomy for trauma during the period, evaluating bio data, injury mechanism,New Injury Severity Score ( NISS), side of diaphragmatic injury, herniating structures, associated injuries and post operative complications. Results: There were 11395 major trauma (NISS ≥ 16) cases during the period with 148 trauma laparotomies. There were 20 cases of diaphragmatic injuries. The age range was 16-51 (27.1 ±8-9) years, NISS 18-52 (32.2±10) and M:F ratio was 9:1. There were 12 cases of penetrating trauma and 8 of blunt. The left hemidiaphragm was injured in 13 and the right in 7 cases. Interventions included 16 laparotomies and 4 thoracolaparotomies. Conclusion: Diaphragmatic injuries are not uncommon in Nigeria. In the face of limited resources a high index of suspicion remains the key to improved diagnosis of this condition. Keywords: Diaphragm, trauma, Benin City, Nigeria, missed injury, herniation, accident, trauma laparotomy, index of suspicion

Haemorheological Changes in African Breast Cancer Patients

Several Studies have indicated the existence of thrombo-embolic complications in cancer patients and that this could be associated with changes in heamorheological parameters. Packed cell volume (PCV), heamoglobin (Hb), relative plasma viscosity (RPV) and plasma Fibrinogen concentration (PFC) were measured in 50 healthy control women, 50 age-matched women with breast cancer, and 10 women with histophathologically proven benign breast tumour. There were significant differences between the controls and breast cancer patients in all the parameters measured (

Trauma Preparedness In Nigeria: A Questionnaire Survey

Background: The world burden of trauma is increasing more so in developing countries with increasing incidence of road traffic accidents, urban and rural violence, as well as natural and man-made disasters. A key determinant of outcome following trauma is the level of preparedness of the health care system. This study evaluated the preparedness of doctors and hospitals in Nigeria for trauma care. Methods: Questionnaire survey among all 100 participants at a National Conference of Surgeons. Results: The response rate was 68%. 55(80.9%) of respondents had never attended an ATLS course while 13(19.1%) had but only 1(1.5%) was currently ATLS certified. 38(55.9%) felt confident managing acute trauma cases, 39(57.4%) with endotracheal intubation, 33(48.5%) with laryngeal mask airway insertion, 33(48.5%) doing a crico-thyroidotomy and 43(63.2%) with tracheostomy. Respondents who reported trauma drills in their hospitals were 20(29.4%), standing trauma team 27(39.7%), disaster management team 19(27.9%) and ambulance emergency help line 14(20.6%). Conclusion: Doctors and hospitals in Nigeria are ill-prepared for trauma care. Keywords: Trauma, Preparedness, NigeriaSahel Medical Journal Vol. 10 (3) 2007: pp. 97-10