Head Injury is any injury that results in trauma or wound to the skull or brain. There are different types of Head injuries which could potentially cause serious and potentially life threatening complications.
Nigeria is home to more than two hundred and fifty million people, data from Nigeria bureau of statistics showed that over two thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven road crashes occured in 2023 and from that figure over one thousand four cases resulted in fatality while the rest were treated for minor injuries.
These road crashes and other unreported accidents in Nigeria may have link with head trauma and a recent study showed that Nigeria has over two thousand seven hundred reported cases of head injuries annually with several other cases in rural areas going unreported.
At home people fall down, hit their head against objects, Some parents, teachers, religious leaders hold, shake and give mild and heavy knocks on the heads of children without minding that the skull bone houses one of the most fragile part of the body which is the brain.
Failing to check or address head injuries can lead to serious consequences such as cognitive problems, emotional imbalance, physical challenges and in some cases death. Head injuries can bring about both short term and long term negative effects and it is important that when a person hits their head on an object or receives any type of blow to the head that causes discomfort or disorientation, a visit to a medical facility should be done.
Head injuries can cause seizures, blood vessel damage, agitation, muscle spasm amongst other complications. The most frequent age group affected by head injuries is those between 19 and 30 with those from age 60 vulnerable to fatality and severe outcome.
The level of awareness given to other health related issues have not be directed to tackle this problem that has remained underreported in the country.
A quick check on building materials used across the country will show high patronage floor tiles as part of materials needed to beautify homes and other buildings. The smooth surface combined with poor safety practices have led to persons falling and some of these falls have led to Head injuries undetected.
Nigeria faces lots of challenges in managing head injuries due to limited access to trauma centers availability of diagnostic tools and this has led to some unexplained death as some head injuries can present symptoms such as head aches, seizures, partial memory loss and presence of intracranial bleeding.
With Nigeria’s population growing rapidly, it is important that more finance is channeled towards educating the populace of the dangers of not reporting head injuries early, procurement of machines that could diagnose head injuries. These machines when acquired should be stationed at tertiary and secondary health care facilities to enable rural and urban dwellers access it.
Emergency response officers and security personnel should be trained on how to handle victims of accidents as studies have shown that most death from accident scenes have been linked to the activities of first time emergency responders to the accident victims.
More awareness should created using electronic and social media platforms to educate people on what to look at for and how to handle emergency resulting from head falls or other forms of accidents.
Health facilities across the country should have health counselors stationed to speak to patients and get real information about the history of some ailments as many head injuries are misdiagnosed and under reported.
Government Should implement legislation that ensure builder will provide enough description, lighting and warning in public buildings to guard against falls.
Pupils and students should be taught what to do when they witness an accident or emergency at home or in public.
Head Trauma is real and a healthy nation is the responsibility of All
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