DefinePK

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the correlation between riding behavior score of motorcyclists and maxillofacial injuries severity score.
Methodology: This co relational Cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar from June 2022 to December 2024 on 264 patients who suffered Oral & Maxillofacial injuries as a result of motorcycle riding. Data was collected on a pre-validated Modified Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire & Facial Injury Severity Score. Categorical variables such as pattern of fracture (injury type), Educational Level, SES, addiction, registration status, accidents in the past, occupation and driving experience were expressed in terms of frequency and percentage while continuous variables such as age, MRBQ score and FISS was expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD).   Mean MRBQ score and Mean FISS were correlated using Pearson correlation. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The Facial Injury Severity Score had a mean of 1.89 ± 0.69 SD while Motorcycle Riding Behaviour Score had a mean of 1.97 ± 0.65 SD, showed a strong positive Pearson correlation of 0.847, statistically significant at the p < 0.001 level. The motorcycle riding behaviour score was strongly and positively correlated with both traffic errors score (r = 0.83) and facial injury severity score (r = 0.83). Stunts score showed a moderate positive correlation with the motorcycle riding behaviour score (r = 0.33) and facial injury severity score (r = 0.38. Control error score demonstrated moderate negative correlations with both the motorcycle riding behaviour score (r = –0.29) and facial injury severity score (r = –0.36. The number of accidents in the past had a weak-to-moderate positive association with stunts score (r = 0.56) and facial injury severity score (r = 0.35).
Conclusion: These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions focused on young motorcyclists, including road safety education, strict enforcement of traffic laws, and promotion of helmet use to reduce the incidence and severity of maxillofacial injuries.