Orofacial injuries among traditional bare-fisted fighters.

UNLABELLED: The continuing practice and increased popularity of bare-knuckled fighting in South Africa poses a challenge for healthcare workers dedicated to preventive dentistry and to preventing the spread of HIV and other communicable diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and types of orofacial injuries inflicted during bare-fisted fighting tournaments in Limpopo Province.

METHOD: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Limpopo, Polokwane Campus and the Bare Fist Tournament committee in Tshaulu respectively. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 201 fist fighters participating in boxing tournaments at Tshaulu village in Limpopo Province, between December 2009 and January 2011. Demographic data, including socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics, were collected using a questionnaire administered before the fight. After each bout, injured fighters were referred to a mobile dental clinic for clinical examination by dentists. The type and site of injuries were recorded.

RESULTS: Of 201 fighters, the majority (53%) were unemployed, 49% were married and 23% were fighting for the first time. One-hundred-and-sixty-five received orofacial injuries. Eight of the fighters were resuscitated in the mobile dental clinic. Sixty-seven percent had at least one traumatic injury to the face: facial laceration (53%); bone fractures (5%), dental injuries (31%) and mandibular dislocation (11%). Tooth fractures (59.7%) were the most common dental injuries.

CONCLUSION: Orofacial injuries are frequent among traditional fist fighters. Teeth and soft tissue sustained the most injuries. It is recommended that protective devices such as mouth guards and headgears be introduced among these fighters to reduce the incidence of orofacial injuries.