BACKGROUND: The Upward trend in facial injuries following road traffic crashes has been attributed to increasing urbanization and industrialization.
AIM: This study was conducted to determine the cost of illness for mandibular fractures and its socioeconomic implications.
METHODOLOGY: All the consecutive patients with mandibular fractures following road traffic crashes that presented to the Aminu Kano Teaching hospital in Kano State were recruited over one year.
RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were managed during the study period with 58% in the age range 21-30 years with mean of 27.9 ± 8.1 years, motorcycle-related road traffic crashes constituted the commonest aetiology. The cost of illness for mandibular fractures was N89, 312.20 ($488) per person. Cost of managing mandibular fractures was equivalent to 8.4% of the health care budget of the state and also equivalent to 15.2 % of the GDP per capita of the year of study surpassing the cost of illness for hypertension and diabetes.
CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for policies that would ensure safe driving, enforce the use of safety gadgets, protocols for efficient fracture management and reduced hospital stay.