@article{ref1,
title="Left-handedness as a risk factor for head injuries",
journal="East African medical journal",
year="2001",
author="Zverev, Y. and Adeloye, A.",
volume="78",
number="1",
pages="22-24",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To study prevalence of left-handedness among traumatic patients with head injuries. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty three traumatic patients newly admitted to a surgical ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre during one month period with exception of patients with arm injury, severe injury and confused patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximal grip strength of both hands, questionnaire on hand preferred for eight habitual activities. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of left-handers determined on the basis of bilateral asymmetry in maximal grip strength was non-significantly higher in traumatic than in the control group. Relative to the control group, lefties were over-represented among victims of head injury, while prevalence of left-handers among patients with leg and trunk injuries and among controls was similar. Left-handed patients were more likely to sustain head traumas during fighting, road transport accidents and sport activities. Possible reasons for increased level of traumatisation among sinistrals are discussed. CONCLUSION: Left-handedness is a risk factor for head injuries obtained during confrontational activities. Therefore, left handers should avoid such type of behaviour in order to reduce traumatisation rate.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0012-835X",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}