Association of Socio-demographic Determinants with Quality of Life among Road Traffic Accident Victims

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents are the sixth leading cause of death in India with a greater share of hospitalization, disabilities, deaths, and socio-economic losses. Objectives: To assess the socio-demographic determinants associated with quality-of-life among road traffic accident victims. Methodology: A community-based, longitudinal study was conducted for 2 years in South India. Simple random sampling was employed to include 169 accident victims. Baseline data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire on socio-demographic details and using SF-32. Follow-up was at the 6th and 12th month from the day of accident. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi-data manager 4.2.0. Written informed consent from each participant was sought. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results: The mean ± standard deviation age of the subjects was found to be 36.2 ± 11.4 years. The results of the study showed that there was a statistically significant incremental change in quality of life among the accident survivors at baseline, 6 and 12 months (P < 0.05). Socio-economic determinants such as education, occupation, marital status, and religion were found to be associated with different domains of quality of life. (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The improvement in the quality of life of the victims over 1-year period was found to be significant.