Factors and Pattern of Injuries Associated with Road Traffic Accidents in Hilly District of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: In 21 st century, road traffic accidents (RTA) are considered as increasing epidemic of non-communicable disease which is abandoned and needs special attention to prevent them. The aim of this study was to assess the factors and pattern of injuries associated with road traffic accidents. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 112 RTA victims and 56 drivers in Palpa District of Nepal. The association of factors and pattern of injuries with exposure to accidents was assessed using Fisher's exact test. Bivariate logistic regression examined the association between driving and socio-demographics factors and exposure to road accidents. Results: Of 112 RTA victims, 50% were in the age group of 21 to 40 years and 71.4% were male. Drivers who were in the age less than or equal to 30 years were more likely (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 14.3) to expose to an accident than those who were above 30 years. Similarly, those having driving speed less than 40 km/hr were less likely to expose to an accident than those with speed 40 -60 km/hr (OR: 6.0; 95% CI: 0.8, 73.5) and those with speed more than 60 km/hr (OR 7.8; 95% CI: 1.0, 100.1). Moreover, the driving experience was also found positively associated (OR: 5.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 35.5) with the exposure to an accident. Conclusion: Being in younger age group, male gender, morning time, the driving speed, driving experiences, and driving hours on the road were positively associated with RTA. The efforts should be made to enforce laws in control of speed targeting experienced drivers and those with younger age groups.

Incidence and pattern of road traffic injuries in tribal population of Jharkhand: One-year study in a tertiary care teaching hospital

“…[ 20 ] Shrestha found that head injury (41.1%) was the commonest injury followed by fracture (25.9%), external injury (like abrasion, lateration, cut injuries), and spinal injury. [ 17 ] Our findings were contrary to the study conducted by Ravikiran in Mangalore who observed that the most common site of injury was the abdomen (49%). [ 21 ] According to the Al-Thaifani study, fracture (47.81%) was the most common type of injury in the victims of RTI, followed by internal hemorrhage (29.5%) and cut wound/laceration (9.62%).…”

“…Shrestha's study found that two-wheelers (38.4%) were most commonly involved in RTA followed by four and six-wheeler. [ 17 ] It reflects that two-wheelers are the most common mode of transport in India. Maximum casualties on two-wheelers could be due to reckless driving, not wearing helmets, or not following traffic rules.…”

Factors associated with motorcycle-related road traffic crashes in Africa, a Scoping review from 2016 to 2022

“…The rider’s age had a significant relationship with alcohol and other drug use before riding in a study in Ghana [ 40 ]. The male gender and morning time riding was positively associated with RTC [ 43 ]. In Africa, people who commonly engage in commercial motor riding are mainly young males.…”

“…It is imperative that riders are given appropriate training and constantly encouraged to observe RT regulations to minimize associated risk. These are particularly essential as other studies identify lack of skill or inexperience, long riding hours, and risk-taking behaviors such as the driving speed of above 60 km/hour to be associated with the collisions of young drivers [ 43 , 44 ]. The risk of severe injury related to RTC may increase with acute tiredness, sleepiness, chronic fatigue, psychoactive substance use, and careless driver behavior [ 6 , 9 , 12 ].…”

“…This study highlighted poor knowledge, improper use of PPEs such as helmets, lack of training on TR related to the incidence of RTC. Similarly, several studies reported inadequate use of safety gadgets by commercial motor riders [ 6 , 8 , 43 , 45 – 47 ]. The use of safety gadgets by riders is imperative in ensuring that riders and other road users are sufficiently protected.…”