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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years there is rapid urbanization and population is increasing to an alarming proportions. Death rates in most of the countries have declined and life expectancy has increased; but traffic injuries have emerged as a highly visible cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality.
Objective: To investigate the details and factors responsible for road traffic accidents.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, hospital-based descriptive study was carried out in more than 500 road traffic accident cases reporting to casualty of the hospital. The data regarding the sociodemographic factors, antecedent factors, and vehicular factors responsible for road traffic accidents were collected in predesigned and pretested pro forma. Besides, information regarding first aid was also obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out using chi-sq-test with p < 0.05 was considered as the significant value.
Results: A total of 190 (38%) accidents happened at roads that were of single lane and 310 (62%) on two or more lane roads. Maximum 156 (31.2%) number of cases were unskilled workers and laborers. The majority of the victims (233, 46.6%) were drivers and majority of the drivers were males. The next major groups involved were the pedestrians 107 (21.4%) followed by passengers 98 (19.6%) and others 62 (12.4%). The majority of the victims (367, 73.4%) had monthly per capita income less than 3000 rupees.
Conclusion: Drivers constitutes the major victims followed by pedestrians. All road users are concerned in the prevention of accidents, but attention must focus especially on drivers of motor vehicles, because they may endanger the lives of road users as well as their own.
Key words: Road traffic accidents, injuries, drivers, pedestrians
Language: en |