BackgroundRoad traffic injury (RTI) rates have been decreasing1 but are still the leading cause of death in Qatar.2,3 Young drivers (age less than 30) were identified as high-risk for RTI4,5 in Qatar but a systematic review of evidence is needed.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted on 7 electronic peer-reviewed databases between 2003 – 2015 using predefined search terms in truncation and using Boolean terms, documents from international organisations and grey literature. Retrieved articles were screened using a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data was extracted and secondary analysis done for evidence on the risk of young drivers for RTIs and RTI fatalities.Results21 articles met inclusion criteria; 12 retrospective observational descriptive studies, 2 grey literature papers (secondary analysis of data and systematic literature review), 1 cross-sectional study, 1 descriptive study, 1 regression analysis for prediction of RTIs, 1 survey, 1 information note by the World Bank, 1 retrospective literature review and 1 re-meta-analysis paper. 15 papers focused on Qatar solely and 6 compared its data with other countries. There was consistent evidence that young male drivers were more likely to: 1.) use a mobile phone while driving 2.) have more traffic violations than females and older drivers 3.) be involved in a four-wheel drive crash, 4.) avail of ambulance, emergency department or trauma services for RTI 5.) sustain severe injury and death on ejection from a vehicle and be involved in all forms of motor vehicle crashes. The relative risk for road mortality of this group was 10 times higher than the general population.ConclusionsYoung drivers in Qatar are at a disproportionate risk for risky driving behaviour, traffic violations, involvement in 4WD crashes, ejection in a crash, severe RTI and mortality. A multi-disciplinary strategy, composed of proven interventions, to reduce this health burden must be implemented as a public health priority.ReferencesMamtani R, Al-Thani MH, Al-Thani AA, Sheikh JI, Lowenfels AB. Motor vehicle injuries in Qatar: time trends in a rapidly developing Middle Eastern nation. Inj Prev. 2012Apr;18(2):130–2. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2011-040147. Epub 2011 Oct 12.Consunji RJ, Peralta RR, Al-Thani H, Latifi R. The implications of the relative risk for road mortality on road safety programmes in Qatar. Inj Prev. 2015Apr;21(e1):e105–8. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2013-040939. Epub 2014 Jan 28.World Health Organisation. Global status report on road safety 2015: supporting a decade of action: summary 2015.Sivak M,Schoettle B. Mortality From Road Crashes In 193 Countries: A Comparison With Other Leading Causes Of Death. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Report No. UMTRI-2014-6 February2014.A Bener, T Lajunenc, T Ozkan, D Haigney. “The Effect of Mobile Phone Use on Driving Style and Driving Skills.” International Journal of Crashworthiness 2006;11(5):1–7.
The 1.2 million deaths per annum globally caused by road traffic injuries (RTIs) have been likened to a plane crashing every day (1). Nevertheless, RTIs are a neglected public health concern. There were 247 road traffic fatalities in Qatar in 2010, a rate of 14.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Even though recent progress has been made, this remains three times higher than Western European countries. It is akin to a plane crash every year for Qatar. This study builds on previous analyses of death rates from RTIs in Qatar (2). However, deaths represent less than 3% of all RTIs. This study uses the much larger sample size of all RTIs for 2014. It triangulates three important sources of health sector data: ambulance, emergency department and trauma registry. It analyses 13,000 patient episodes and deconstructs in more detail than heretofore the epidemiology of RTIs in Qatar. The results identify the key demographic, temporal and geographical features of this public health emergency. Qatari males aged 15-19 have a relative risk of RTI 8-11 times higher than the general population and those aged 20-24 have a relative risk 6-9 times higher (see chart for illustration). RTIs in those aged 25 and above are overwhelmingly in non-Qataris and vary substantially in type of road use between the other Arabic and South Asian resident populations. The results also identify the temporal and seasonal effects associated with RTIs and a “heat map” of the accident “hot spots” by geographical zone. It is possible to identify with a high degree of probability which road users are most at risk of harm, when and where. Using recent insights into how predictive data is used by the insurance industry, health policy makers may be able to more effectively target regulatory, technological and behavioural interventions to those most at risk. References: Hyder A A, Puvanachandra P and Allen K A. Road Traffic Injury and Trauma Care: Innovations for Policy (Road Trip). Report for the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), Doha 2013. 2 Consunji R J, Peralta R R, Al-Thani H and Latifi R. The Implications of the Relative Risk for Road Mortality on Road Safety Programmes in Qatar. Injury Prevention. Accessed on 29 January 2014.
BackgroundEven though Road Traffic Injury [RTI] death rates have declined in Qatar,1 they remain three times higher than Western European countries and are the leading cause of death.2 This study will collect and analyse key sources of RTI data from Hamad Medical Corporation [HMC], the main national healthcare provider, to better define RTI epidemiology and make policy recommendations for national road safety priorities in Qatar.MethodsA retrospective analysis of RTI data from three important sources of health sector data: the HMC Ambulance Service, major Emergency Department [ED] and trauma registry was conducted for a 12-month period in 2013–14. Standard measures of central tendency were computed and comparisons were made by age, gender, nationality and relative risk.Results13,000 patient episodes were collected, summarised and analysed: 10,063 ambulance transportations, including 867 trauma patients, and 2,963 other ED visits. The results identify the key demographic, temporal and geographical features of this public health emergency. Indigenous Qatari males aged 15–19 have a relative risk of RTI 8–11 times higher than the general population and those aged 20–24 have a relative risk 6–9 times higher. RTIs in those aged 25 and above are overwhelmingly in non-Qataris and vary substantially in type of road use between the other Arabic and South Asian residents of this heterogeneous population. The results identify temporal, seasonal and cultural effects associated with RTIs and a map of accident “hot spots” by geographical zone.ConclusionsIt is possible to identify with a high degree of probability which road users are most at risk of harm, how, when and where. Using predictive data, public policy makers may be able to more effectively target regulatory, technological and behavioural interventions to those most at risk of harm. These interventions should focus on young male drivers, especially indigenous Qatari, and expatriate pedestrians, especially migrant labourers.ReferencesMamtani R, Al-Thani MH, Al-Thani AA, Sheikh JI, Lowenfels AB. Motor vehicle injuries in Qatar: time trends in a rapidly developing Middle Eastern nation. Inj Prev2012Apr;18(2):130–2. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2011-040147. Epub 2011 Oct 12.Consunji RJ, Peralta RR, Al-Thani H, Latifi R. The implications of the relative risk for road mortality on road safety programmes in Qatar. Inj Prev2015Apr;21(e1):e105–8. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2013-040939. Epub 2014 Jan 28.
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