Main Article Content
Homicide In Port Harcourt Rivers State
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A retrospective study of homicidal deaths in Rivers State
METHOD: Based on the 610 autopsied bodies in the Anatomical Pathology department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), the only referral hospital in Rivers State at the time of study, covering January 1st 1986 to December 31st 2000 inclusive, was carried out by the authors.
RESULTS: There were 524 males (85.9%) and 86 (14.1%) female victims of homicide with a sex ration of 6:1. Homicide is commoner in the age range 20-40 years in which 59.0% of the victims were involved. Firearms were the commonest method employed and the least was drowning. Communal clashes and armed banditry were the commonest motivating factors in that order. Attempt at concealment of Homicide by various methods was a common finding.
CONCLUSION: Homicide rate in this study is proportional to the level of poverty in the society. There is a recent upsurge in homicide in this environment.
Nig Jnl Orthopaedics & Trauma Vol.2(2) 2003: 120-123
METHOD: Based on the 610 autopsied bodies in the Anatomical Pathology department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), the only referral hospital in Rivers State at the time of study, covering January 1st 1986 to December 31st 2000 inclusive, was carried out by the authors.
RESULTS: There were 524 males (85.9%) and 86 (14.1%) female victims of homicide with a sex ration of 6:1. Homicide is commoner in the age range 20-40 years in which 59.0% of the victims were involved. Firearms were the commonest method employed and the least was drowning. Communal clashes and armed banditry were the commonest motivating factors in that order. Attempt at concealment of Homicide by various methods was a common finding.
CONCLUSION: Homicide rate in this study is proportional to the level of poverty in the society. There is a recent upsurge in homicide in this environment.
Nig Jnl Orthopaedics & Trauma Vol.2(2) 2003: 120-123
