A report published by the current issue of the African Journal of Health Sciences by the scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and JKUAT has revealed that young poor bachelors are prone to be victims of road crashes.
According to the report, single, young, unemployed and poorly educated men are the majority patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Speaking on the report, Ms Eunice Ibanda Chelogoi of JKUAT noted that the results of the report can be attributed to the general risk-taking behaviour of youthful men.
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The report further discloses that the high number of young men at the ICU with little ability to pay the huge bills, the researchers say, is a major strain on the hospital.
Chelogoi exclaimed: "The average lifetime cost of treating an individual with traumatic spinal cord injury is estimated to be between Ksh50 Million and Ksh200 Million."
She also stated that the conclusion of the report indicates that it is a major problem for the youthful victims and their poor relatives and called on the young men to be enrolled with NHIF.
Additionally, Ms Shane Mwiginyezi, who is a family counselor, directed: "We are telling them to marry because marriage has a calming effect on young men, as they reflect more on responsibilities."
Of 71 severally injured patients admitted at the hospital's ICU, in a one year study period, 80 percent were men below 40 years.
67.6 percent were single, majority unemployed with secondary school or lower level of education.
The report divulged that about 60 percent of the accidents were attributed to motorcycles and motor vehicles, with the latter causing a slightly higher number of crashes.
Some 35 percent of the ICU patients were from the hit-and-run accidents and the victims brought by the police and good samaritans.
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