Gunshot Injuries in Ibadan: A Closer Look at Victims and Outcomes

From 2014 to 2018, the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria, treated 232 patients with gunshot injuries (GSIs). Most victims were men (86. 6%), and the highest number of cases were seen during night shifts (56%). The most affected age group was 21-40 years old (61. 2%). Armed robbery attacks were the main cause of these injuries (78. 9%), often impacting the upper and lower limbs. Sadly, 18 patients (7. 8%) died due to injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, or multiple body parts. The location of the gunshot wound significantly influenced survival rates (p=0. 017). Stricter enforcement of the Firearm Control Act and a national surveillance system for both fatal and non-fatal GSIs are recommended. Moreover, efforts to create jobs and reduce poverty could help make crime less attractive.