Prevalence and risk factors for road traffic injuries and mortalities in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundRoad traffic injuries, which are responsible for premature deaths and functional losses, are the leading causes of unintentional injuries in Ethiopia. As most studies on road traffic injuries, so far, have been either local or regional, it is believed that combining the regional or local data to get nationally representative information could help programme implementers in setting priorities.ObjectiveThe aim of this review was to estimate the proportion of road traffic injuries, mortality and risk factors for the problem among all age groups in Ethiopia.Data sourcesA systematic review of articles using MEDLINE/PubMed SCOPUS Web of Science and science direct was conducted. Additional studies were identified via manual search.Study selectionOnly studies that reported road traffic injuries and/or mortalities for all age groups were included in this review.Data synthesisAll pooled analyses were based on random-effect models. Twenty-six studies for the prevalence of RTIs (n=37 424), 24 studies for road traffic injuries (RTI) mortality, (n=38 888), 9 studies for prevalence of fracture among RTIs (n=2817) and 5 studies for the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (n=1733) met our inclusion criteria. Driving in the dark increased severity of injury by 1.77, 95% CI 1.60 to 1.95). The certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool.ConclusionIn this review, the burden of road traffic injuries and mortalities remains high in Ethiopia. Human factors are the most common causes of the problem in Ethiopia. The existing safety regulations should be re-evaluated and supported by continuous behavioural interventions.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019124406.

Addressing discrepancies in estimates of road traffic deaths and injuries in Ethiopia

“…The literature review yielded 15 studies that potentially used nationally representative data sources on the incidence of road traffic injuries (online supplemental appendix 1 table A1). 15–29 However, full-text evaluations revealed that the cited data sources in these studies were either not representative of the population (eg, were sub-national, or from surveillance at selected hospitals) or referenced the DHS-2016, which had been identified in our review of primary data sources.…”

“…Finally, we conducted Snowball searches by scanning reference lists of published reports retrieved from the processes above. In particular, the reference lists of two systematic literature reviews were scanned for potential data sources 15 16…”

Emergency care accessibility for road accidents victims: a review

“…3 Drunk driving and lack of driving experience as well as lighting condition were associated with road traffic accidents. 4 Vehicle-related risk factors of traffic accident included unsafe car modifications and no safety equipment. 5 Economic burden of traffic accidents can be measured through loss of productivity caused by accident-related injuries and deaths.…”

Insufficient Supply, Diagnostic Services, and Lack of Trained Personnel in Primary Hospitals in North-West Ethiopia Worsened Trauma Care: A Mixed-Method Study

“…15 Road traffic injuries are the major cause of injuries, making up 29% of all traumas. 16 Ethiopia has been training emergency professionals since 2010, 17 but there is no ambulatory emergency care system to provide pre-hospital emergency service in the community, except for infrequent ambulance transport. 18 Previous studies reported the absence of pre-hospital emergency services, 19 poor road infrastructure, and limited transportation access as the causes for delays in definitive care for trauma victims.…”