Citation

Motsumi MJ, Ayane G, Kwati M, Panzirah-Mabaka K, Walsh M. Injury 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2021.04.020

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Road traffic collisions (RTC) are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Botswana. To our knowledge no research has been conducted in Botswana to investigate preventable deaths that occur as a result of RTCs. The aim of this study is to establish the rate of preventable deaths from RTCs in the greater Gaborone area in Botswana. This was a 5-year retrospective study conducted at the forensic pathology department for the greater Gaborone area, in Botswana. Nine hundred and nine (909) forensic pathology reports were retrieved. Sixty-eight percent (68.2%) of RTC deaths were considered preventable. Head injury in isolation and in combination with other injuries accounted for 87.6% (796/909) of deaths. Haemorrhagic shock was present in 70.2% (638) of all documented injuries. Another documented injury contributing to fatal RTCs was high spinal cord injury. This injury was documented in 13.1% (119/909) of all deaths. We recommend the implementation of a comprehensive trauma system in Botswana to reduce the number of deaths from RTCs.

Language: en

Keywords

Road traffic crashes; Avoidable deaths; Preventable deaths; Road traffic fatalities