A retrospective study on the impact of lockdown and alcohol bans during COVID-19 on the prevalence of mandibular fractures at a South African Dental School
1
Department of Community Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Mandibular fractures are a prevalent form of maxillofacial trauma, strongly associated with interpersonal violence and alcohol use. The COVID-19 pandemic led to stringent public health measures, including lockdowns and, in South Africa, a complete ban on alcohol sales during May and August 2020. This created a unique opportunity to study the impact of these combined interventions on the epidemiology of mandibular fractures.
METHODS:
A retrospective observational study was conducted at a South African Dental School. Data from dental records for all patients diagnosed with mandibular fractures between January 2018 and December 2022 were analyzed. The lockdown period (2020) was compared to pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and post-lockdown (2021-2022) periods. Categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages.
RESULTS:
A total of 698 mandibular fractures were reported among 683 patients. A significant reduction in total fractures was observed in 2020 compared to surrounding years. Assault remained the predominant aetiology throughout the study period (48.7% of specified causes). Notably, the lowest monthly fracture counts occurred in May and August 2020 (1% and 4.8% of the annual total, respectively), coinciding with strict alcohol bans. A large proportion of cases (41.5%) had unspecified aetiology.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrates a clear decrease in mandibular fracture incidence during periods of strict COVID-19 lockdown and alcohol sales bans in South Africa, despite assault persisting as the leading cause. The findings underscore the significant role of alcohol availability in trauma related to interpersonal violence. They provide evidence for considering alcohol policy as a public health tool to reduce the burden of maxillofacial trauma, particularly in high-violence settings.
Mandibular fractures are a prevalent form of maxillofacial trauma, strongly associated with interpersonal violence and alcohol use. The COVID-19 pandemic led to stringent public health measures, including lockdowns and, in South Africa, a complete ban on alcohol sales during May and August 2020. This created a unique opportunity to study the impact of these combined interventions on the epidemiology of mandibular fractures.
METHODS:
A retrospective observational study was conducted at a South African Dental School. Data from dental records for all patients diagnosed with mandibular fractures between January 2018 and December 2022 were analyzed. The lockdown period (2020) was compared to pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and post-lockdown (2021-2022) periods. Categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages.
RESULTS:
A total of 698 mandibular fractures were reported among 683 patients. A significant reduction in total fractures was observed in 2020 compared to surrounding years. Assault remained the predominant aetiology throughout the study period (48.7% of specified causes). Notably, the lowest monthly fracture counts occurred in May and August 2020 (1% and 4.8% of the annual total, respectively), coinciding with strict alcohol bans. A large proportion of cases (41.5%) had unspecified aetiology.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrates a clear decrease in mandibular fracture incidence during periods of strict COVID-19 lockdown and alcohol sales bans in South Africa, despite assault persisting as the leading cause. The findings underscore the significant role of alcohol availability in trauma related to interpersonal violence. They provide evidence for considering alcohol policy as a public health tool to reduce the burden of maxillofacial trauma, particularly in high-violence settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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