Epidemiological study of road traffic accident cases visiting emergency department of Osmania general hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

B. Baburao; G. Sudha Rani

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20160920

Authors

B. Baburao Associate professor and HOD Osmania medical college, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana
G. Sudha Rani Assistant professor, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, Telangana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20160920

Keywords:

Accident, Vehicles, Injury, Protective gears, Alcohol

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization defines road traffic injury (RTI) as a fatal or nonfatal injury incurred as a result of a collision on a public road involving at least one moving vehicle and pedestrians. Accident has been defined as an unexpected, unplanned occurrence, which involves injury. Road accident is treated as a major epidemic of non-communicable disease in the present century. The objective of the study was to know the various epidemiological factors related to road traffic accident cases.

Methods: This study was conducted at Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, South India from 1^st January to 31^st December 2013. The study group-consisted of all the RTA victims reporting to casualty in the above one year period.

Results: A total of 1158 RTA cases reported at Osmania General Hospital during study period. Out of 1158 RTA cases 1026 (88.6%) of the victims were males & rest 132 (11.4%) were female. The highest number of victims 601(51.8%) were from 16 – 30 years of age group. Followed by 291 (25.1%) in the age group 31 – 45 years. Motorized two-wheeler occupants were highest in number i.e. 898 (77.5%) followed by occupants of four wheelers 147 (12.6%). Pedestrians involved were 82 (7%). Being knocked down was the common mode of RTA, involving 502 victims (43.3%), followed by falling off vehicles which claimed 241(20.8%) victims. Other modes were collision between two vehicles (18.8%), run over (5.9%) and due to overturning (7.0%). Interestingly 130 (11.2%) victims were injured due to the vehicle hitting a stationary object (parked vehicle). In the present study it was observed that time factor (to reach hospital) is very crucial for increase the chance of survival among RTA victims, death rate significantly low 7% among those who reached within 30minutes in comparison to those who took more time to reach the hospital. Majority (89%) did not use any safety measures. Only 3% used car seat belt and 8% wear helmet. The effect of alcohol was evident with 62% were consumed alcohol.

Conclusion: It was found that greater portion of the RTA occurred due to collusion between two vehicles followed by defective road. A significant number of accidents took place during bad weather. More than half of the accidents occurred due to wrong side driving.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

World Health Organization (WHO) 1957. Technical Report Serial No. 118.

Director General, WHO. World Health Report 2004.

World Health Organization, The Injury Chart book: A Graphical Overview of the Global Burden of Injuries, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2002.

Lyons RA, Ward H, Brunt H. Using multiple datasets to understand trends in serious road traffic casualties. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 2008;40(4):1406-10.

Kaul V, Dattatreya D. A brief medico - socio -demographic profile of non-fetal road traffic accident cases admitted to Karnataka institute of medical sciences. Scho Res J. 2011;1:32-6.

Transport research laboratory Report by Jacobs G, Aeron–Thomas A, Estimating global road fatalities crow Thorne. 2000;no.445.

Nantulya VM, Reich MR. Eguity dimensions of road traffic injuries in low and middle – income countries. Injury control & safety promotion. 2003;10:13-20.

Mondal P, Kumar A, Bhangale UD. A silent tsunami on Indian Road: A comprehensive Analysis of epidemiological aspect ofroad traffic accidents. BJM. 2011;1(1):14-23.

Nilamber J, Goutam R, Jagdish S. Epidemiological study of Road traffic cases: A study from south India. IJCM. 2004;xxi(1):20-4.

Ganveer GB, Tiwari RR. Injury pattern among non-fatal Road traffic accident cases: a cross sectional study in central. Indian J Med Sci. 2005;59(1):9-12.

Sood S. Survey of seven factors Influencing Injury among riders involved in motorized two wheeler accidents in India: A prospective study of 302 cases. Journal of Trauma 1988;28(4):530-4.

WHO. Road traffic accidents in developing countries. Technical report series No. 73. World Health Organization, Geneva 1984.

Mishra B. Epidemiological study of road traffic accident cases from western Nepal. IJCM. 2010;35:115-21.