Management of Soft Tissue Injuries Among Artisans Presenting to General Outpatient Department in Kaduna State

Artisans, including welders, mechanics, carpenters, and building workers, constitute a high-risk occupational group for soft tissue injuries in Nigeria, yet occupational health surveillance in this population remains inadequate. This study evaluates the pattern of presentation, management approaches, and outcomes of soft tissue injuries among artisans attending the general outpatient department (GOPD) of a secondary hospital in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria, in 2022 to 2023. A prospective descriptive study enrolled 185 consenting artisans with soft tissue injuries, documenting type of injury, first aid measures applied before presentation, initial management at the facility, wound cultures where indicated, and healing outcomes at two and four weeks. Lacerations were the most common injury type, followed by crush injuries and abrasions. Wound contamination with metal fragments was frequent. Only 23% of patients had applied appropriate first aid prior to presentation. Delayed presentations after 12 hours were associated with significantly higher infection rates (p=0.004). Suture wound closure under local anaesthesia was the primary management approach. The study recommends mandatory first aid training for artisan trade groups in Kaduna State, as well as occupational health education integrated into vocational training programs in North West Nigeria. Keywords: soft tissue injury, artisans, wound management, Kaduna, occupational health