Prevalence of Fracture Patterns Among Road Traffic Accident Victims at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu

Road traffic accidents remain a principal driver of orthopaedic morbidity across Nigeria, with fracture injuries accounting for a significant proportion of emergency admissions. This descriptive cross-sectional study examines the prevalence and distribution of fracture patterns among road traffic accident victims presenting at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, South East Nigeria. Data will be collected over a twelve-month period from consenting adult patients with trauma-related fractures confirmed by radiographic examination. Information on fracture site, mechanism of injury, patient demographics, and time to presentation will be extracted from clinical records and structured interviews. The study aims to determine the most commonly injured anatomical regions, assess the role of delayed hospital presentation on fracture complications, and identify demographic groups at heightened risk. Preliminary evidence from similar tertiary centres suggests long bone fractures of the lower limb, particularly femoral and tibial shaft fractures, dominate the injury profile. Findings from this study will provide locally relevant epidemiological data to guide resource allocation and trauma preparedness at UNTH and comparable institutions in the South East zone. Results will be disseminated to the hospital administration and the state Ministry of Health to inform road safety and emergency orthopaedic policy. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence on injury burden in sub-Saharan Africa and supports the global call for improved trauma systems in low-resource settings. Keywords: fracture patterns, road traffic accidents, orthopaedic morbidity, Enugu, trauma epidemiology.