Citation

Gururaj G, Uthkarsh PS, Rao GN, Jayaram AN, Panduranganath V. Int. J. Inj. Control Safe. Promot. 2016; 23(1): 64-71.

Affiliation

Department of Epidemiology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, Centre for Public Health , National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences , Bangalore 560029 , India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17457300.2014.945465

PMID

25109622

Abstract

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a leading public health problem and the understanding of RTIs in rural India is limited. The present report documents the burden, pattern, characteristics and outcomes of RTIs in a rural district of India using combined data sources: police and hospital. RTIs contributed for 38% of fatal and 39% of non-fatal injuries with an annual mortality rate of 18.1/100,000 population/year. Young males were affected most and two-wheeler users and pedestrians were involved in 45% and 20% of fatal crashes, respectively. Nearly half (51%) of fatal RTIs occurred on national highways of the district; 46% died immediately at the site. Among those hospitalised, 20% were under the influence of alcohol while use of helmets and seat belts was <5%. Trauma care was deficient in the district leading to greater number of referrals. Road safety should be given high importance in rural India with a focus on safe roads, safe vehicles and safe people along with trauma care.

Language: en